Pierre Gasly believes that Toro Rosso’s performance at the Belgian Grand Prix demonstrates the progress engine supplier Honda has made in 2018.
Honda was frequently left exposed along Spa-Francorchamps’ full-throttle sections during its partnership with McLaren, enduring a dismal time 12 months ago.
Toro Rosso duo Gasly and Brendon Hartley finished Q2 in 11th and 12th respectively, from where the Frenchman went on to record ninth in the race.
“It’s been a really positive race and weekend for us because on such a track with such a long straights we knew we would struggle compared to the others,” said Gasly.
“To be just outside the top 10 in qualifying and finishing ninth in the race was over our expectations
“We know with the Ferrari and the new upgraded engine they have they are pretty fast down the straights.
“So all the first and last sector we are lacking compared to them, but on the other side drivability and reliability have been really strong all weekend and Honda is coming with some upgrades for the rest of the season.
“So looking at the positives if we are able to finish in the top 10 at such a track it means we have done some progress since the beginning of the year, so I am pretty happy with it.”
Ferrari-powered Sauber rival Marcus Ericsson ran behind Gasly for much of the race and briefly battled with Hartley through the pit stop phase.
Ericsson passed Hartley into La Source but the positions swapped along the next straight before Ericsson eventually cemented his authority over the New Zealander.
Ericsson, whose Sauber team was initially set to switch to Honda power for 2018, was taken aback by the progress.
“I think I took a few laps, I didn’t expect him to be able to pull past with the DRS but the Honda is better than many people think!,” he said.
“I was in the DRS of Gasly at the beginning of the first stint but I couldn’t overtake him. I couldn't even get close to him with DRS, so I think that shows quite a lot that Honda has made great steps forward.
“I still believe that Mercedes and Ferrari are the two strongest power units but then Honda is a lot stronger than they get credit for I think.
“That was confirmation of that when I was racing them. Like I said I couldn't overtake Gasly even with the DRS and Hartley could overtake us, so I think that’s a fact.”
