Honda keeping Red Bull plans under wraps, but deadline looms

Honda F1 boss Toyoharu Tanabe isn't giving anything away about the Japanese manufacturer's potential plans involving Red Bull Racing for 2019.

An FIA May 15 deadline by which the Milton Keynes-based outfit must finalise its power unit plans for next year is fast approaching, with current supplier Renault unwilling to wait forever on its partner's decision.

Red Bull is keeping its options open with Honda however as it monitors the engine manufacturer's progress with junior bull team Toro Rosso.

Honda's relationship with the Faenza-based outfit enjoyed a promising start, with clear progress made by its V6 hybrid engine in terms of reliability and power.

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"Toro Rosso is open to new ideas and listens to us attentively," Tanabe told France's Auto Hebdo.

"We listen to them just as carefully. Together we're working hard to achieve our goal."

However, when asked how the Red Bull talks are proceeding, Tanabe was guarded.

"I'm focused on this season and on the technical partnership with Toro Rosso. As for everything else, decisions are made in the top management of Honda."

Toro Rosso team boss Franz Tost is equally happy with Honda's achievements to date. Also, rather than implementing significant updates over the course of the season, the Italian squad follows an incremental approach for developing its STR13 chassis.

"Other teams work with two or three major updates per season," Tost told Speed Week.

"We pursue a different philosophy. We want to make the car faster every time we make small improvements."

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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.