Verstappen: Time for Red Bull to produce a championship-winning car

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Jos Verstappen says Red Bull must produce a championship-winning for 2021 to alleviate any fears of his son Max walking away from the team.

Max Verstappen became Formula 1's youngest Grand Prix winner in 2016 in his very first race with Red Bull Racing, a triumph that sparked hopes of the Dutchman achieving a world title in short order.

But almost five seasons later, Verstappen's world championship dream is still a mirage on the horizon, his ambitions undermined by his team's performance shortfall and by Mercedes hegemonic domination.

The news last week of Honda's withdrawal from the sport at the end of 2021 is helping Verstappen prospects, and patience appears to be running thin in the driver's camp, at least as far as Max's father is concerned.

"We are waiting patiently to see what happens," Jos Verstappen told De Telegraaf. "We don’t have much to say to the outside world.

"It is time for Red Bull to produce a championship-winning car.

"If Max has a competitive car next year, they won’t have to worry about anything. That’s the goal, to become world champion."

Read also: No Honda-related exit clause in Verstappen contract - Horner

Ahead of this weekend's Eifel Grand Prix at the Nürburgring, Verstappen lamented Honda's retreat but insisted his focus was on the immediate job at hand.

"It is of course a shame that Honda are leaving Formula One, especially as we have such a good relationship and we really see the dedication of the people involved in the project which has always been very important for me," said the 23-year-old.

"In terms of what that means at the moment and what we are focused on then nothing has changed.

"We still have the rest of this season and next season to focus on together and we are still trying to be on the podium every single race, that’s a good target for us.

"Making sure that we maximise all the results that we can all the time."

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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.