Christian Horner insists Red Bull won't "sacrifice" Toro Rosso's season following reports Honda has been given the go-ahead to introduce engine developments when it sees fit, even if it results in multiple grid penalties for the junior team.
Toro Rosso is presently Honda's only team, but Red Bull has signed a deal with the Japanese manufacturer to effectively become its works partner from the 2019 season.
Reports suggested Red Bull had told Honda to push its development and bring experimental parts to races if it saw promise in them, however with both Toro Rosso driver's well over the component limit, any new parts will bring grid penalties, making it highly unlikely they would score points which are vital in a closely fought Constructors' battle.
Currently Toro Rosso are eighth, just three points ahead of Sauber, 29 behind McLaren in seventh and just 32 points behind Haas in fifth.
Horner says that won't be the case, but hinted it could happen later in the year given both Red Bull and Toro Rosso would benefit from any improvements Honda can find for next year.
"I don't think we'll be pushing them [Honda] to sacrifice Toro Rosso," the Briton told Autosport.
"But obviously there are opportunities to learn for the benefit of the group, which ultimately Toro Rosso will benefit from as well.
"That's obviously something that remains open [for discussion], but of course Toro Rosso have got their own fight with the constructors they're competing with, that obviously has significant value to them."
