Gasly wants 'reliable package' from Honda at pre-season testing

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Toro Rosso's Pierre Gasly is expecting good reliability from Honda during pre-season testing to insure clean running to optimize the team's work-load.

The beleaguered Japanese manufacture has switched its power unit supply from McLaren to the Faenza-based outfit for 2018.

Looking back on Honda's dismal pre-season testing period with McLaren last year, Gasly hopes his team's engine partner will avoid putting extra strain on Toro Rosso or hinder its mileage with poor reliability so as not to compromise the squad's early development work.

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Both Gasly and team mate Brendon Hartley shall be undertaking their first full year of racing in F1, a fact which in itself warrants maximum mileage for the two rookies.

"Testing will be very busy with a lot of work to do, especially as we have a new engine partner,” Gasly said.

"The important thing at the test will be to have a reliable package so we can do as many laps as possible and get a good understanding of where we are with the car, the engine and how the package is planned to evolve.

"There are only eight days of testing before Australia and that really isn't very much."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.