Toro Rosso enjoyed its best qualifying of the season at the Japanese Grand Prix, the home race of engine supplier Honda, and the irony of McLaren's struggles in the same session did not seem to be lost on the Italian team.
Honda came to Suzuka with a new and improved power unit and Toro Rosso's drivers delivered, with under-pressure Brendon Hartley qualifying sixth ahead of teammate Pierre Gasly. It was the first time the team had both cars in Q3 since the Hungarian Grand Prix.
By contrast, Honda's former engine partner added another dismal chapter to its miserable 2018 story.