Jenson Button believes Red Bull and Honda will need to deliver a winning package this year, or risk losing perhaps its greatest asset: Max Verstappen.
Red Bull Racing has opted to ditch its long-lasting engine supplier Renault for a new partnership with Honda that will begin in 2019.
While no one is expecting fireworks at the outset from the pair, the Milton Keynes-based outfit will need to remain a consistent front-runner, or Verstappen could look for greener pastures elsewhere says newly recruited Sky F1 pundit Jenson Button.
"It's tricky with Max," the former F1 driver told Sky Sports News.
"He's always moving forward and he's always looking for something else. He jumps into a Red Bull and he wins his first race.
"This year is a really important year for him to keep it moving.
"He has to be fighting for the championship or l think he will start asking questions about where he should be in the future."
Button is hoping for another thrilling three-way fight at the front between Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull. A battle perhaps enhanced by Formula 1's rule changes for 2019, reckons Button.
"There are so many changes in the sport at the moment and that's exactly what the sport needs," Button said.
"I think we will have three teams battling at the front and, if we do, there will be some fantastic fights."
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