Honda has outlined a bullish target to fight for the top three places on the grid when it links up with Toro Rosso next season, following its split from McLaren.
The pieces of the engine puzzle fell into place on Friday, with McLaren confirming that it will be powered by Renault through 2020, while Honda will partner with Toro Rosso from 2018.
Honda has struggled since returning to Formula 1 with McLaren in 2015, taking a best race result of fifth, and highest championship classification of sixth.
However, Katsuhide Moriyama, Honda’s Chief Officer of Brand and Communication Operations, attended Friday’s press conference in Singapore, and explained the company’s lofty goal.
“For Honda, Formula 1 has started with the dream of our founder, Mr Soichiro Honda, and we already have a history of more than 50 years with Formula 1,” said Moriyama.
“For our company, Formula 1 is a very important culture as well as the DNA of our company.
“It’s true that we’ve gone through a very tough situation and nobody was satisfied with the current results, especially the board.
“We have gone through many discussions due to the dissatisfaction of the present and discussed this project with the company to improve the situation.
“[But] quitting F1 was never an option for us.
“It is our goal to overcome this tough challenge and get back to fighting the frontrunners of the sport. Honda’s spirit is going to come back.
“For next year, our goal is to fight for the top three at the top of the grid.”
Toro Rosso, currently powered by Renault, holds sixth place in this year's championship.
