F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Grosjean sees Honda resurgence as 'amazing' for F1

Haas' Romain Grosjean has another mid-field rival to contend with but ultimately he sees Toro Rosso-Honda's form as "amazing" for Formula 1.

The doubters outweighed the rest of the F1 paddock when it came to assessing Toro Rosso's chances of performing this season following its switch to Honda power.

But Pierre Gasly's impressive P4 finish last Sunday in Bahrain confirmed the Japanese manufacturer's progress as well as the fact that Toro Rosso will likely be a force to be reckoned with this year for the title of "best of the rest".

"I wasn't happy they were in front of us, but I'm happy that Honda, with a good collaboration with Toro Rosso, managed to get such a good result," Grosjean said.

"Qualifying everyone was like 'oh in the race they're gonna fall down', but actually no, they finished fourth.

"For Formula 1 in general it is amazing. It shows a constructor, like the Haas project, can be successful after three years. I think it's great for Formula 1. It shows you can do it."

Another man who also rejoiced at Toro Rosos's great result in Bahrain was Carlos Sainz, who spent his formative F1 years with the Faenza-based squad.

"I saw the mechanics, I went down to shake hands with them and congratulate them," said the Spaniard.

"It's good for them, they deserve it – they've pushed hard over the winter to get that engine back into the car, redesign the car. I think it's a good story for Formula 1."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

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.

Recent Posts

‘It’s exponential’: Apple bullish on F1’s 'beautiful' future in the U.S.

Formula 1’s American revolution is no longer being discussed as a novelty. Inside Apple, it…

6 hours ago

Coulthard left ‘speechless’ Formula E GEN4 car after Monaco blast

David Coulthard has never been short of superlatives in a racing career that took him…

7 hours ago

Not a flying Keke or Mika, but a Finn nevertheless

He wasn't a flying Keke or Mika, but he was nevertheless a Finn and actually…

8 hours ago

Heartbreak for Verstappen at the Nürburgring but ‘I’ll be back’

Max Verstappen’s bid to conquer the Nürburgring 24 Hours has ended in a cloud of…

10 hours ago

Button on racing’s mental toll: ‘As drivers, we’re flawed’

Jenson Button has offered a stark, unusually candid reflection on what really sits beneath the…

10 hours ago

Bearman recalls F1 debut with Ferrari as one 'crazy step’

For most young racing drivers, a call-up to Ferrari would feel like a dream. For…

12 hours ago