Max Verstappen is refusing to repeat the hype of his Red Bull team in suggesting he will fight for the Formula 1 title in 2019.
Having changed engine supplier to Honda for this season, team boss Christian Horner has declared it the final 'ingredient' needed to challenge Mercedes and Ferrari.
But with an uncertain picture after pre-season testing, the Dutchman admits his focus is on simply producing the results.
"It's just so difficult to say," he told Ziggo Sport of his championship chances.
"The most important thing is that we are consistent this year and whether that is enough for the world championship, I don't know.
"I'm a realist and an optimist and it's hard to say."
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One thing Verstappen does agree on with his team is Honda's engine, believing it is a much better package to Renault.
"Not to say something against anyone else, but this engine is much more logical," he claimed. It [the design] just looks super tight -- really beautiful."
