Red Bull enjoys 'healthy working environment' with Honda

Red Bull Racing team boss Christian Horner says the Milton Keynes-based outfit has found a "healthy working environment" with new engine partner Honda ahead of the 2019 season.

With each passing day, Red Bull appears to be buoyed by its collaboration with the Japanese manufacturer with whom it hopes to return to championship glory.

Both Horner and Red bull motorsport boss Helmut Marko have vaunted Honda's progress in the last twelve months, the engine supplier relying on Red Bull junior squad Toro Rosso to evolve and develop.

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Horner insisted the relation has now grown as tight as ever on the eve of an important campaign for both parties.

"Communication in any business, in particular in this sport, is a vital element," said Horner, speaking to Formula1.com.

"Obviously Honda are based in Japan, but their UK base is just around the corner from us in Milton Keynes. We’ve obviously got a huge amount of discussion going on between the groups.

"So far it’s all been very positive and I think we’ve found a very healthy working environment - that we’ve been nurturing through the relationship with Red Bull technology, Toro Rosso and Honda - that we don’t go into next year completely afresh."

Looking back one last time on its relationship with Renault, an association which produced four consecutive world titles at its peak, Horner said again that the team could have surpassed its tally of four wins in 2018 with a little extra power from its long-lasting power unit supplier.

"It’s always easy to say ifs, buts and maybes," he added.

"If there would have been another 40kw (around 53bhp) in the back of the car then the season could have looked quite different.

"Hats off to everyone at Milton Keynes for arguably producing one of our best ever chassis. If you look at the other users with the same engine, there’s a world of difference."

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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.