'Mature' Verstappen now prepared to show patience - Marko

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Max Verstappen enters the 2019 season armed with confidence, but the Dutchman has added patience to his skills according to Red Bull motorsport boss Helmut Marko.

Verstappen went through a maturing process last season after a sloppy start to his campaign in 2018 forced the 21-year-old to rein in his impetuosity and focus on consistency without sacrificing speed.

Marko believes that process has been successful, with Verstappen understanding that a championship isn't won on outright wins alone but also by targeting points on days of under-performance or adverse circumstances.

Optimistic Marko buoyed by Honda reliability so far

"We had some discussions and patience is one thing for sure he will show," Marko told Sky Sports F1.

"He understood if he can't win, it's important to make points, to finish races. Otherwise you won't win the championship.

"He's mature now. He's still very young but he's far more mature. He feels happy, also with the driveability from the engine.

"We heard last year on the radio that he wasn't so happy sometimes. I think he, and the team, goes with a lot of confidence into the season."

A smarter and wiser Max Verstappen who can keep his impulsiveness and hastiness in check will only make the young charger an even more formidable force to be reckoned with in the future.

"He already did a very positive step by being enthusiastic and concentrating with his testing," added Marko.

"Before, testing was a little bit boring for him. He just saw it as a duty. But now he understands it's very, very important. His input for the engineers to develop the car."

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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.