Gasly: Toro Rosso mileage answers Honda F1 critics

Pierre Gasly feels Toro Rosso's charge to the top of the lap charts through the first Formula 1 pre-season test in Barcelona this week has answered many of engine partner Honda's critics following the winter switch.

Toro Rosso cut ties with former power unit supplier Renault at the end of last season in order to take on a works deal with Honda following the Japanese manufacturer's split with McLaren after three difficult seasons.

Concerns about Honda's reliability lingered heading into the opening pre-season test, only for Toro Rosso to complete 324 laps over four days - more than any other team - without any issues.

Gasly racked up 147 laps behind the wheel of the STR13 car on Thursday, vaulting himself to the top of the driver lap charts ahead of Sebastian Vettel and Valtteri Bottas, as well as completing the most mileage in a single day for any Honda-powered driver in a pre-season test since the marque's return to F1 in 2015.

"I think it's really satisfying to have done so many laps. It's only the second day for me testing in the car, fourth day for the team, so we're still learning many things about the car," Gasly said.

"We need to find the right directions to maximise the performance in Melbourne. It was really important for the team and for myself. I think we have learned many things.

"We'll have to go through everything in the coming days before the second test, but it was a really positive day overall."

Asked by Crash.net if Toro Rosso's first test showing answered critics of the Honda move, Gasly said: "Hopefully. I think today we have shown that the engine is fine.

"Toro Rosso is working really hard with Honda in terms of communication to have the best package possible. We have a common target. We are working as a team altogether, not as two different teams. I think it's something really positive.

"We still need to improve a lot. There are still a few things we need to improve, I guess like every team. But so far, it's been great working with them.

"They are pushing really hard. That is always nice."