Max Verstappen is a believer in Honda's ability to rival with Mercedes and Ferrari on the engine front, but the Dutchman also sees Red Bull's works status with its power unit supplier as a big help.
After more than a decade of collaboration with Renault, most of which was successful, Red Bull will be switching its allegiance to Honda next season, a move many consider to be risky one for the Milton Keynes-based team.
However, thanks to the insight and knowledge gained though the Japanese manufacturer's current relationship with Toro Rosso, Max Verstappen supports his team's decision and the benefits that will come with it.
"There's still half a year and Honda will work hard in that time," he says, answering the worries of those who doubt the wisdom of Red Bull's choice.
"It's better if there are problems now than next year, but I think they've taken big performance steps. They are not slower than Renault anymore."
Verstappen also underlines the advantage for a team of having a full works status.
"Normally that's always better, yes," he said.
"You can get an update at every race. At Renault everything went to the factory team first and only one or two races later we got something. It's a pity, but understandable."
As a man who has witnessed first hand Honda's progress this season, Toro Rosso team boss Franz Tost also defends the bold move by the senior bull outfit.
"I've never had problems with Honda," he told ORF.
"I don't know what McLaren's experience was, but the engines are not as bad as we heard.
"The engine is good enough and we are working with them to improve it," the Austrian added.
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