Tost puts his money on Red Bull-Honda winning in 2019

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Toro Rosso team boss Franz Tost is convinced the Red Bull-Honda partnership will deliver race wins in 2019 and contend for the world championship.

Honda has enjoyed significant progress since it parted with McLaren at the end of 2017. However, the manufacturer was still a long way from achieving rock-solid reliability last year, a weakness that have left many doubting Red Bull Racing's ability to fight for the title this season.

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Tost says the doubters are wrong to question the potential of the Red Bull-Honda combo.

"I must say all expectations I put into them they have delivered," said Tost on Honda.

"I’m quite sure that they will close the gap to the top teams and that Red Bull Racing will be able to win races with them and that we will also gain a lot of advantages out of this cooperation."

Toro Rosso continues to be powered by Honda this season, and with the added benefit of its technical collaboration with Red Bull Racing, Tost expects an upgrade in performance from his team in 2019.

"If you look at the car, how the power unit is integrated, then it’s a big step forward," said the Austrian.

"Also how the boxes are in the car designed. I must say it was a big step from the engineering side because we had much more time.

"There was really good cooperation with Honda and also Red Bull Technology. Therefore I think from this side, we are quite well organised."

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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.