MOTORING NEWS - Honda and its new partner, Scuderia Toro Rosso, unveiled their new Formula 1 car, the STR13, fitted with the Honda RA618H power unit, at the Barcelona Catalunya Circuit last Tuesday.

Following the unvealing of the new car that Pierre Gasly and Brendon Hartley will drive in this year's FIA Formula 1 World Championship, Red Bull Toro Rosso Honda now joins the other nine F1 teams for eight days of pre-season testing at the Barcelona circuit, before the first Grand Prix of the season, which takes place in Melbourne, Australia on 25 March.

"I am really looking forward to beginning this new season and entering a new era for our team, working together with Honda," said Franz Tost, Scuderia Toro Rosso team principal. 

"It's an exciting time for Toro Rosso because we have not had our own engine supplier before. To partner with a manufacturer, with the history Honda has, will be great. 

"We also have two accomplished rookies for the 2018 season. They are not completely new because both Pierre and Brendon drove a handful of races for us last year, but this will be their first full season in Formula 1. 

"I'm convinced that if we provide them with a competitive car, they will be able to perform at very high levels."

Both drivers are champions in their own right. Pierre won the 2016 GP2 (now F2) championship, while Brendon is a double FIA World Endurance champion and winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Katsuhide Moriyama, chief officer for Brand and Communications of Honda Motor Co, said, "I am delighted that our new car is here and ready for the start of winter testing, having been designed and built to a very tight schedule.

"Now we have just eight days to evaluate our work on the track, in order to be ready for the coming season. We appreciate the warm support from the fans and hope they enjoy watching us compete in this year's championship."

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