Red Bull Racing: 'Drawing the benefits from Honda and ExxonMobil partnership'
Published on 27 August 2019 by Julien Lemmen
Aston Martin Red Bull Racing are renowned for their ability to develop a Formula 1 car through a season – and this year, they are proving that once again. Max Verstappen secured their first win of the season in Austria, followed by another in Germany, as they continue to close the gap to Mercedes and Ferrari. Key to that upward trajectory is the strong alliance the team have built with ExxonMobil and Honda, as chief engineer, car engineering, Paul Monaghan explains in an interview with ExxonMobil.
The team enjoyed their first win with Honda in Austria – how important was it to get that under the belt?
"It was a fantastic boost", says Monaghan. "I saw it as just reward for the efforts that have gone in. Everyone involved was doing their best to make the car go that little bit better, whether it's research at ExxonMobil, Honda or at Aston Martin Red Bull Racing’s base in Milton Keynes. It all came together and unless it comes together you don't necessarily extract the best from the package. And we achieved it again in Germany with a strong showing in qualifying and won the race."
How has the Honda, ExxonMobil, Aston Martin Red Bull Racing relationship evolved this season and how much more is there still to come as you strengthen your working relationship?
"From what I understand talking to ExxonMobil people at the track, they are very happy. Speaking to the Honda guys, they are very happy. We're obviously very happy because we're drawing the benefits from the working relationship from ExxonMobil and Honda. We're very privileged."
How much closer do you feel Aston Martin Red Bull Racing is to Mercedes and Ferrari this year, and how much closer is the Honda power unit to rival manufacturers?
"We’re making steps and we are getting closer. We’re going to give these guys a hard time and/or beat them. I think it'll be swings and roundabouts. Mercedes could have expected to go to Austria and dominate but we managed to beat them, and Ferrari dropped away from qualifying pace quite significantly in the race. We qualified well and raced better, so let's see what happens during the remainder of the season. It's a sport, it's not supposed to be a known outcome. It's supposed to be competitive. We are supposed to be able to challenge or beat our opposition. We just have to be close enough to do it and we are certainly getting there."
What has impressed you most about Max Verstappen this year?
"He's been a revelation since he joined us, winning his first Grand Prix in his first race with us. He's a sensational driver. In Austria, the way he came through the field was determined yet considered. He won that race because he had a greater desire than the others. And in Germany he was just brilliant", Monaghan concludes.
