Verstappen blinded by Gasly's Honda blowout

Max Verstappen revealed he was left badly unsighted by oil spilling out of the Honda power unit of Pierre Gasly's Toro Rosso in the closing stages of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Verstappen was in the wrong place at the wrong time as Gasly's engine spluttered to cause a DNF.

Much mirth was taken from the scenario, with Verstappen and Red Bull switching to a Honda supply in 2019.

The Dutchman explained how much of an issue it gave him towards the end of Sunday's race, perhaps giving his third-place finish extra context.

"It was a bit of oil, I don't know what happened there," Verstappen told Sky Sports.

"I already went through all my tear-offs and there was so much oil on my visor it was like driving through fog, it was horrible.

Very happy to finish the last race of 2018 on the podium ???? What an incredible year it has been! Thank you @redbullracing, friends, family, partners and of course all fans for the great support ???? #KeepPushing #AbuDhabiGP ???????? pic.twitter.com/M3fWf5ILlx — Max Verstappen (@Max33Verstappen) November 25, 2018

"I was [motions wiping his face with his glove] but it made it worse so I just stayed off it.

"I asked the team, 'Where is Daniel [Ricciardo, behind], I can't see him in the mirrors, nothing'."

Despite the discomfort in Yas Marina, Verstappen remains upbeat about the chances of Honda helping Red Bull take the fight to Mercedes and Ferrari next season.

"I think this year has already been pretty good, they have taken a lot of engines just because they could, because they were at the back or something happened," he added.

"I prefer, sometimes, maybe to win a race and then blow up in one than always be consistently slow.

"It looks all very promising but I want to be realistic and just wait.

"First we need to build a great car, and then the engine should be reliable as well, and powerful.

"I think it will be there, but we fist have to do the winter testing and then we'll see."

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