Chargement ...

Hamilton teammate Bottas ’is not there’ - Verstappen

"If we can just do a bit better..."

Chargement ...

Max Verstappen has admitted he will try to emulate Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes’ approach to winning the world championship.

The Dutchman can finally stop complaining about his customer Renault engines in 2019, as Red Bull makes the switch to works Honda power.

"The engine for next year is a completely new one," he told Ziggo Sport.

"It has been on the test bench for a while but it’s a bit of a wait. I think the prospects are good compared to what we had until now. It is definitely a lot better," Verstappen said.

However, Red Bull is remaining cautious, with Verstappen saying he will aim for consistency early next year when Honda may still be catching up.

"If we can just do a bit better and then do a season like Lewis just had then it is already a lot better for the championship," he said.

Verstappen says he does not feel that Hamilton is a better driver, but that the Mercedes star just has a better car.

"It is not about being ready or not ready," he insisted. "You just have to have the right material.

"Lewis was ready in his first year already, just because he had a really good car. But now he also has less pressure.

"He has a very good car and his teammate is not there anyway. When the whole team is all about you, it’s a lot easier. And the better your car is, the easier it is again," said Verstappen.

Chargement ...

«Gasly ’not afraid’ of Verstappen

Mexico GP future in doubt»

Red Bull


>Checo can be in F1 for ten more years - father

>Upgrades keep McLaren on path to beating Red Bull

>Ferrari scrambles to prepare updates for Miami, Imola

>2025 F1 ’silly season’ nearing boiling point

>’Almost everything’ points at new Perez deal - Marko

More on Red Bull

Mercedes F1


>Hopeful rookie on standby for two F1 teams

>Wolff: We see the errors in it but we have something for Miami

>2025 F1 ’silly season’ nearing boiling point

>Perez admits pushing for two-year Red Bull deal

>Marko ’surprised’ by ongoing three-year Mercedes slump

More on Mercedes F1

Formula 1 news


>Hopeful rookie on standby for two F1 teams

>Axed French GP group facing ’embezzlement’ probe

>Hockenheim inches closer to F1 race return

>Official: Hülkenberg lands multi-year Sauber/Audi deal

>Officiel: Haas F1 and Hulkenberg will part ways at the end of 2024

More Formula 1news