Red Bull motorsport advisor Dr Helmut Marko has played down reports of trouble between the Austrian outfit and engine partner Honda.

According to reports, Honda and an Austrian technical partner, Avl, have split due to a disagreement between engineers.

Marko confirmed the split, also adding that Honda and ex-Mercedes engine chief Mario Illien are also no longer working together.

“Appropriate measures were taken to solve the problem. Honda has already overtaken Renault and will be even better in 2019,” he insisted.

“Then Max (Verstappen) will have everything he needs. He is improving all the time. There seems to be no limit for him,” Marko added.

Meanwhile, Renault boss, Cyril Abiteboul has scoffed at Red Bull’s optimism about life with Honda power.

Abiteboul was at the epicentre of the French manufacturer’s eventually poisonous relationship with Red Bull.

For 2019, Red Bull is finally leaving Renault to become Honda’s new works engine partner. This year, the energy drink owned team has been hyping up expectations that life with Honda will be much better.

“Honda is still 20kW behind us,” Abiteboul insisted, according to Marca sports newspaper.

“I know what Red Bull says but they’re hiding the facts and manipulating the data. I understand their communication strategy, but there are no facts,” he charged.

“Eventually it will be seen that Honda is 20kW behind and that they have not moved from their current position,” Abiteboul added.

Red Bull’s Dr Helmut Marko responded to Abiteboul’s comments.

“We do not need to discuss that because next year we will see what our position is. Mr Abiteboul will continue to daydream but next year it will be completely clear,” he said.

Hopefully for Red Bull’s sake, they get things sorted out so that Verstappen and Gasly can be competitive.