Chronicle Editor
Max Verstappen has no doubts that Red Bull are heading “in the right direction” as they look to challenge for titles in 2020.
Verstappen, who has committed his long-term future to Red Bull until 2023, recorded his best-ever finish of his Formula 1 career to date with a P3 finish behind World Champion Lewis Hamilton and second-placed Valtteri Bottas, winning three races in the process.
Red Bull’s partnership with engine supplier Honda delivered some encouraging signs in their first season together and Verstappen feels there is “no question” that the two parties are heading in the right direction.
When asked if the groundwork had been put in for a potential title challenge in 2020, Verstappen told Motorsport.com: “I think so. I think we are in the right direction. There’s no question about that. Now, it’s just about how much development we can push through for next year. I more or less know, I just hope it’s going to be enough.
“Next season, there are no real changes in the regulations anyway, so you can just build on what you have now. And with a second year working with Honda, I think that should help.
“We massively improved the performance of the engine. I think we know where we have to improve on, we’ve already improved on the car.
“We know that we have to be there from the start if you want to fight for the championship.”
Verstappen also feels that his own consistency is there and Red Bull did a good job in maximising results and getting the better of Ferrari on several occasions in 2019.
“My consistency overall was good,” Verstappen added. “I think as a team we did a good job as well. We most of the time maximised the result. It was the only thing we could do, especially in the beginning, we couldn’t really fight for wins.
“But we’re still overtaking Ferraris, when we’re actually slower, or doing a better strategy, stuff like that. So if we can keep that up, then we can have a strong year next year.” — Wheels24.
Online Reporter