Red Bull Racing

Verstappen worried he may "end up like Fred Flintstone"

Ian Parkes & Nicolas Quarles van Ufford Friday 9 October 2020 07:00

Max Verstappen is hoping Red Bull can resolve its latest power unit problem to avoid him "ending up like Fred Flintstone".

Following Honda's announcement earlier this month it is to leave Formula 1 at the end of 2021, it has left Red Bull again searching for a new engine supplier

Verstappen has conceded Honda's exit that shook F1 came as no surprise to him, paving the way for a potential reconciliation with Renault following an acrimonious split in 2018.

As far as Verstappen is concerned, he is not worried by whatever decision is made - as long as he has an engine in the back of his car.

"I’m just focused on what I have to do and that is driving the car as fast as I can… with an engine in the back, I hope!" said Verstappen ahead of this weekend's Eifel Grand Prix at the Nüburgring.

"I hope I’m not going to end up like Fred Flintstone that I have to pedal it myself. It’s quite physically demanding, I think."

Asked whether he would be open to a return with Renault, Verstappen added: "It’s not up to me to make the decision on the engines. I’m open to anything.

"I hope I don’t end up pedalling it myself, I think that’s the most important."

Red Bull has previously been vocal on its aim to challenge the historically dominant Mercedes for titles, with the German manufacturer unbeaten since the dawn of the turbo-hybrid era in 2014.

Despite Honda leaving F1 which could be viewed as severely damaging to Red Bull's ambitions, Verstappen's trust in his team remains unaffected.

"We’re still driving with them [Honda] for another one and a half years," added Verstappen.

"Also, after that, we've got the new regulations of the cars coming in so there are so many unknowns. At the moment, it doesn’t make sense to think about that anyway."

Before you go...

Sainz finally getting to grips with McLaren after struggling with tricky 'A-spec'

Time may have healed Red Bull-Renault relationship - Ricciardo