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Honda will only harm Toro Rosso, says 1997 F1 champion, Villeneuve.

The Toro Rosso Formula 1 team could pay the price in the near future for taking Honda engines, says 1997 world champion, Jacques Villeneuve.

With Honda having split from McLaren, Toro Rosso will become its works team in a three-year deal from 2018.

While McLaren received in the region of $100million per year from Honda as part of their arrangement, Autosport understands Toro Rosso will not receive the same cash injection.

Honda will provide free engines, therefore providing a net financial gain for the Red Bull junior outfit.

But Villeneuve - who was part of a works Honda programme with BAR from 2000-03 - argued even free engines would not make up for the problems Toro Rosso might have, given McLaren's experience since 2015.

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/131998/honda-will-only-harm-toro-rosso--villeneuve