Honda

Red Bull has “definitely" closed the gap to Formula 1 rivals Mercedes and Ferrari heading into the 2019 season, according to team boss Christian Horner. 

Jorge Lorenzo starts a new chapter in his illustrious racing career, in Qatar this weekend, when he will race in Repsol Honda colours for the first time.

Marc Marquez hopes his gruelling winter rehabilitation from shoulder surgery can pay off at the 2019 MotoGP season opener as he rates his fitness at “almost 100%” for the Qatar round.

Pierre Gasly has urged Red Bull not to get “too excited” following a positive start to its relationship with new Formula 1 engine suppliers Honda during pre-season testing. 

-Jorge Lorenzo expects Marc Marquez to be a tougher team-mate at Repsol Honda than his previous experiences sharing a garage with Valentino Rossi during his Yamaha days (GPOne.com)

Max Verstappen says it was a “miracle” Red Bull made it out on track for the final day of Formula 1 pre-season testing following Pierre Gasly’s big crash. 

Jorge Lorenzo came away from his first outing with Repsol Honda in 2019 “very satisfied” after the Majorcan made considerable set-up improvements that allowed him to ride the RC213V with greater confidence and fluency.

Cal Crutchlow has stated he wasn’t overly bothered by the final classification at the final MotoGP preseason test of 2019, but admitted “a lot of work” remains ahead should he wish to be competitive at next weekend’s curtain opener.

With MotoGP pre-season testing starting tomorrow, 2019 is gathering pace ahead of the new campaign.

Red Bull is willing to take engine penalties during the 2019 Formula 1 season to capitalise on any development gains made by new power unit supplier Honda. 

Cal Crutchlow admits he is playing catch up after missing the two preseason tests at the close of 2018, and is “not even close” to working on set-up for the year’s first race after struggling to get comfortable aboard Honda’s ’19 RC213V in Qatar.

For Jorge Lorenzo, there came a “big step” on the second evening of MotoGP testing at the Losail International Circuit, but the Majorcan stressed the need to remain patient with the season opener fast approaching, and foresees "difficult first races" ahead.

Honda Formula 1 chief Toyoharu Tanabe says the Japanese manufacturer is feeling no additional pressure heading into the 2019 season despite its expanded relationship with Red Bull Racing.

Pierre Gasly says Red Bull can be satisfied by progress at the opening Formula 1 pre-season test despite not threatening the outright quick lap times.

Combined lap time results from the first Formula 1 pre-season test at Circuit de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain. 1. Nico Hulkenberg GER Renault F1 Team R.S.19 1m 17.393s (Day 4 New C5) 247 laps

Honda says it is “encouraged” by the progress it has made during the opening pre-season Formula 1 test in Barcelona ahead of the 2019 season. 

Red Bull motorsport advisor Dr Helmut Marko believes Ferrari has stolen a march on its Formula 1 rivals at the first pre-season test but feels Red Bull are at a similar performance level to Mercedes.

Toro Rosso team principal Franz Tost is confident Daniil Kvyat will rediscover his best form during the 2019 Formula 1 season. 

“I’ve never come away from Jerez actually feeling comfortable. But now everything is working for me. I’m not attacking too hard. I’m not chasing a lap time. But the lap time is coming to me. That’s nice.”

Max Verstappen says he’s yet to find the maximum in terms of performance and reliability from his new Honda power unit after finishing content with the progress made at the first pre-season test.

Daniil Kvyat says his headline-grabbing time on the third day of Formula 1 pre-season testing was not “balls out”, but urged Toro Rosso to remain realistic. 

Final lap time results [6pm] for day three of the first Formula 1 pre-season test at Circuit de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain. Follow live text commentary of F1 pre-season testing

Christian Horner claims Honda has provided Red Bull with the best engine installation it has ever had in Formula 1, branding its new power unit as a “thing of beauty”. 

Toro Rosso boss Franz Tost is encouraged by the gains made by Formula 1 engine supplier Honda heading into 2019, adding the Japanese manufacturer has “delivered on all expectations”.