Max Verstappen's public backing of Honda has helped inspire the Japanese marque's improvements in 2019, according to the Red Bull driver's manager.

Red Bull made the surprise switch from Renault supply to Honda in 2019, with eyebrows raised after several years of struggle alongside McLaren.

However, the new partnership has made a promising start to the campaign, with Verstappen delivering Honda's first podium, pole position and race win since returning to F1 over the course of the season.

With attention now turning towards a hopeful title tilt in 2020, Verstappen will hope Honda can match his own ambitions.

"I think people there are very happy with the appreciation that Max openly expresses about the brand," Verstappen's manager Raymond Vermeulen told Motorsport.com.

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What a welcome! 👏 鈴鹿へ向けて準備！ 🇯🇵 #JapaneseGP pic.twitter.com/nQRDw4ACrF

— Aston Martin Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) October 10, 2019

"They have had a very difficult period, so I think that is also a nice reward for all the hard work that has happened there.

"Max wants that too and Red Bull is really pushing the car, so I think the triangle we have works. But anyway, we want to win in the end."