Max Verstappen believes the different approach taken by Red Bull with Honda will avoid a repeat of the problems McLaren had between 2015-2017.
The Milton Keynes outfit surprised many earlier this year by confirming they would drop long-time partner Renault for the Japanese manufacturer next season just nine months after McLaren had ditched Honda following three years of poor performance and reliability.
Speaking to his own website, however, the 21-year-old states a lesson learnt from the British team’s failed partnership will help Red Bull avoid a similar fate.
“[We will be] telling Honda that they need to develop the best and fastest engine, but not as small and compact as possible,” he said.
“We indicate that we want as much power as possible and in return we will make it fit in the car, that is a very different approach than they had at McLaren.”
Indeed, the Woking squad was notorious for asking Honda to work around a ‘size zero’ chassis design and overheating issues remained a problem even after switching to Renault this year.
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In recent months, the progress made by the Japanese company has also seemingly vindicated Red Bull’s decision with a new unit introduced at Suzuka thought to have moved Honda ahead of Renault in the power rankings.
Looking ahead to 2019, Verstappen also thinks the type of relationship the team will have with their engine supplier will make a big difference.
“In the current situation [with Renault] you are always the second team, after the factory team,” he claimed.
“This, of course, is not the case with Honda as we are actually the only customer since both are Red Bull teams.
“I think that is an advantage. If there is engine update, you receive it immediately and not a race later.”
