Verstappen plays down 2019 chances despite Marko claims

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Max Verstappen and Dr Helmut Marko are taking contrasting approaches when it comes to Red Bull's title hopes in 2019.

Marko has adopted a strident attitude when it comes to setting the teams' objectives for next year's campaign.

"We want to crown the youngest world champion in history,"the Red Bull motorsports consultant said recently, referring to Verstappen. "I have told the team that there are no excuses."

A big part of Red Bull's hopes rest on the performance of their new engine partners Honda.

Marko says that in his view, the Japanese manufacturer is "already ahead of Renault" which has supplied Red Bull with power units for the last 12 years.

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Red Bull's junior team Toro Rosso has already been working with Honda this season to prepare the way for the senior squad's switch over the winter.

"Toro Rosso are sacrificing their season for the big one in 2019," Marko is quoted by RTL. "That is our tactic to get the most out of next year."

Verstappen himself is confident that Honda will deliver.

"It also shows in the numbers," he told Motorsport.com when asked about Marko's comments. "We're not lying or just putting something in the world which isn't true."

But the Dutch driver is also remaining cautious when it comes to expectations for next season.

"It also depends on how much the other people are going to improve as well," he pointed out. "We have to wait and see.

"I'm realistic. I think initially we're still a bit short on power," he suggested. "But it's definitely going to be better than what we have now.

"For sure we will be closer. If it's going to be enough initially, I don't know. Then it's all about trying to get the best results possible, to not lose too many points initially."

If next year's car proves a genuine match for those of Red Bull's chief rivals Ferrari and Mercedes, Verstappen certainly aims to go all out for the title with everything that he's got.

"Once you have that car underneath you, you are definitely going for it," he said. "As soon as you have that car you're going to drive it as fast as you can.

"If it's the fastest car on the grid you're normally winning races or you're second.

"Are you ready for it? You're not sure," he admitted. "It's never 100 per cent clear if somebody is ready or not."

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Andrew Lewin

Andrew first became a fan of Formula 1 during the time when Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill were stepping into the limelight after the era of Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and Aryton Senna. He's been addicted ever since, and has been writing about the sport now for nearly a quarter of a century for a number of online news sites. He's also written professionally about GP2 (now Formula 2), GP3, IndyCar, World Rally Championship, MotoGP and NASCAR. In his other professional life, Andrew is a freelance writer, social media consultant, web developer/programmer, and digital specialist in the fields of accessibility, usability, IA, online communities and public sector procurement. He worked for many years in magazine production at Bauer Media, and for over a decade he was part of the digital media team at the UK government's communications department. Born and raised in Essex, Andrew currently lives and works in south-west London.