Verstappen's Brazil win crucial for Honda's F1 future - Red Bull

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner hopes that Max Verstappen's Brazilian Grand Prix victory can help further convince Honda to remain in Formula 1.

The Japanese manufacturer are yet to formally commit to F1 in 2021 and beyond, when a new ruleset will come into play, led by Liberty Media.

Liberty had promised a sweeping change of engine regulations, however power units will remain largely unchanged under the new regulations.

Honda has made great strides in 2019, helping Verstappen take three race wins, with the power unit coming under a kind light at Interlagos as Pierre Gasly successfully out-dragged Lewis Hamilton on the line to take second place for Toro Rosso.

Red Bull have previously suggested that Honda's departure from F1 will precipitate the team's exit too, but Horner says the Brazil weekend will help tip the scales the other way.

"I think is very important. Honda is seeing great progress and I think they can really see [it] after five years of commitment and effort," Horner said.

"You have to remember how things were when they came back into the sport.

"I think that they have done a great job in keeping their heads down with great passion and pride to get themselves into this position."

Honda will reportedly confirm its future plans in F1 around the Abu Dhabi GP weekend.

"I hope this result impact our future with a positive side," Honda's F1 technical director Toyoharu Tanabe said. "I'm not involved in the process of the decision.

"Our board members are working on that. When we are ready, we will announce."

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