Verstappen gives two thumbs up to Red Bull-Honda deal

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Max Verstappen says he is excited by the prospect of having a Honda power unit in the back of his Red Bull next season.

The Milton Keynes-based outfit has taken the plunge and will switch from Renault to the Japanese manufacturer as its engine supplier at the end of the year.

After a dismal three-year period with McLaren, Honda has showed solid signs of progress with Toro Rosso, Red Bull's junior outfit.

As far as Verstappen is concerned, his team has made the right choice although he had no bearing on the decision.

Front-row seat to Honda progress led to 'clear-cut' decision - Horner

"Looking at the performance they showed this year and the improvements they made, especially in Canada, it looked very positive," said the Dutchman on Thursday.

"They keep improving and putting people in the right places. I believe in the decision and the team clearly believes in it because they signed the deal," he added.

"And it's exciting as well when you have Honda working for Red Bull and Toro Rosso only, and it's purely designed around your car. I think that also is very good."

Verstappen revealed that a visit last year of Honda's engine development facility in Sakura had also left him highly impressed.

"It looked very nice the facility. It was good to walk around to see the difference between Honda and Renault factory," he said.

"It was quite impressive how they build up all the facilities, the dynos and stuff. It looked efficient, it was a nice day."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.