Verstappen: Honda gives Red Bull extra motivation

Max Verstappen believes his Red Bull squad has been given extra motivation ahead of the 2019 Formula 1 World Championship as it begins a new partnership with Honda.

After a successful maiden year with sister squad Toro Rosso, Honda will also provide power units to Red Bull from 2019 with the partnership aiming to fight for the F1 world titles against the front-running Mercedes and Ferrari squads.

Verstappen says the fresh partnership gives the Milton Keynes-based team renewed incentive after almost a decade as a customer Renault squad, which yielded four double F1 world drivers’ and constructors’ crowns, but has seen the team unable to consistently compete for titles in the V6 Hybrid era.

The Dutch driver feels the motivation is reflected on both sides with Honda also looking to climb the F1 ranks following a disastrous three years with McLaren on its return to the sport in 2015.

“I’m very excited but the whole team is. You can really feel it,” Verstappen said. “I think it’s good that the whole team is super-motivated for next year. We know that we can build a great car.

“We are just waiting to have the whole package together but I definitely feel a difference compared to the last years where the motivation was there, everybody was always trying to do their best but now they’re just so looking forward to next year.

“I think to have that extra motivation will definitely help us to be more successful next year.”

In just Honda’s second race teaming up with Toro Rosso this season it produce its best result since returning to F1 four years ago with Pierre Gasly taking fourth place at the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Gasly steps up alongside Verstappen at Red Bull in 2019 replacing the Renault-bound Daniel Ricciardo.