Red Bull will remain strong with Honda - Mercedes

Mercedes are sure that they will remain under pressure from Red Bull in 2019, despite their rivals switch to Honda power units. Red Bull will split from Renault next season, despite getting amongst the Silver Arrows and Ferrari in the fight for honours this season.

Daniel Ricciardo has taken victories in China and Monaco in 2018, suggesting that their power deficit with Renault is negated like never before in the V6 hybrid turbo era.

However, Red bull have seen fit to ditch the French marque for Honda, who have delivered a few impressive results with Toro Rosso in 2018 after three miserable years with McLaren.

Those struggles with the British squad have led some to fear that Red Bull will drop out of the fight at the front, but Mercedes chief Toto Wolff is not among them.

"I have no doubt that they will be competitive," Wolff said.

"The collaboration will make another step between Toro Rosso, Honda and Red Bull for next year and with Red Bull's technical capabilities and resource they will certainly be of great assistance to make the power unit progress.

"This is certainly the right step forward, looking from the outside, for all parties.

"It was important for Red Bull to have a works status. Long term probably the best chance to win a championship.

"Maybe short term, more work to do. But long term, from where I sit, absolutely the right decision.

"I am looking forward to tougher fights and tougher battles with Red Bull-Honda."