Max Verstappen insists Red Bull is “not lying” about the promising steps made by Honda♉ ahead of the team’s Formula 1 engine switch to the Japanese manufacturer.

H🌠onda has recovered from its disastrous three-ꦑyear tenure with McLaren in its new partnership with Toro Rosso and its impressive progress has prompted Red Bull to end its long-term association with Renault and follow its sister squad in favouring Honda power from next year.

Positive noises have emerged from the Red Bull camp ever since the announcement, and Verstappen stressed his team’s data points towards Honda being a step forward in 2019 compared to current engi😼ne supplier Renault.

“It also shows in the numbers. We’re not lying, ju🦄s♌t putting something in the world which isn’t true,” Verstappen said.

“It also d☂epends on how much the other people are going𓃲 to improve as well so we have to wait and see.

“I’m realistic. I think initially we’re still a bit shorter 𓄧on power but it’s definitely going to be be❀tter than what we have now.

“For sure it will be closer. Is it going to be enough? Initially I don’t know. It’s all about 🍒trying to get the best results possible, and not lose too many points initially.”

Verstappen has enjoyed a strong run of form during the second half of the season and has picked up two wins so far in 2018 following a change of approach after admitting he 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:“fucked up” the first six races.

The 21-year-old has been tipped as future worl🎐d champion material, and while he has played down expectatiಞons of a championship push in Red Bull’s first year with Honda, he feels ready to fight for titles.

"I think I c🅷an because I've done now almost four seasons, and Le🦋wis [Hamilton] for example was fighting for a title in his first season,” he added.

ꩲ"Are you ready for it? You're not sure. Was he? Maybe yes, maꦑybe not.

"But once you have that car underneath you, you are definitely going for it, because normall♈y you're only fighting your team-mate, because there's always a bit of a dominance with the cars.

"It's never 100% clear if somebody is ready or not. As soon as you have that car you'🍨re🍬 going to drive it as fast as you can, and if it's the fastest car on the grid you're normally winning races or you're second."