Honda pushing really hard with 'fine' engine - Gasly

Toro Rosso's Pierre Gasly says the trouble-free performance of Honda's engine this week in Barcelona bodes well for the future.

The Faenza-based squad clocked in on Thursday with 324 laps, the most of any team in Week 1 of pre-season testing.

But Gasly himself completed a massive 147 laps on Thursday, a tally which points to the unquestionable progress achieved by Honda over the winter.

"I think it's really positive," said the French rookie.

"We didn't have any issues with the engine, which is always great, and hopefully we can carry on like this.

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"I think it's really satisfying to have done so many laps. It's only the second day for me testing in the car, fourth day for the team, so we're still learning many things about the car."

Asked if Honda's positive performance and reliability in Barcelona would shut down the manufacturer's critics, Gasly said he hoped it would, suggesting that by all accounts it was a good start.

"Hopefully. I think today we have shown that the engine is fine.

"Toro Rosso is working really hard with Honda in terms of communication to have the best package possible.

"We have a common target. We are working as a team altogether, not as two different teams.

"There are still a few things we need to improve, I guess like every team. But so far, it's been great working with them. They are pushing really hard. That is always nice."

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