Red Bull: Honda has given us a party mode

Red Bull is confident their new partnership with Honda will give them a power boost similar to that of Mercedes' party mode. The Japanese manufacturer will supply Red Bull and Toro Rosso in 2019 after the former ditched Renault after a difficult period during the hybrid era.

The Milton Keynes-based team has struggled compared to the likes of Ferrari and Mercedes particularly in qualifying with the Renault power unit lacking a boost in power, however according to the team, the new Honda unit could move them closer to their rivals next season.

Dr Helmut Marko told Motorsport.com that the team was optimistic ahead of the 2019 season, with their new partnership looking promising so far.

"The figures make us really optimistic, also with regard to the increase in performance," he said.

"For the first time we can also celebrate with a 'party mode'!

"The Honda engine is already slightly above the Renault engine. If you combine our GPS data with the data provided by Honda, we'll be in the Mercedes and Ferrari region.

"Of course they're not sleeping either. But they are already at such a high level that they can no longer make such jumps.

"Even if we should be 10 or 15 kW behind, that was no different in our Renault era with the eight-cylinder engine. We can make up for that."

Red Bull's new relationship with Honda will be spearheaded by Max Verstappen and Pierre Gasly as they hope to contend for their first championship since 2013.