Verstappen backing Honda to deliver in 2019

Max Verstappen says Red Bull will be using a new power unit from Honda next year, banishing any concerns that the team will befall any reliability issues that have hit Toro Rosso in 2019. Brendon Hartley and Pierre Gasly have used more power unit components than any other drivers in 2018.

Hartley is on to his sixth internal combustion engine of a season in which the part has been limited to three per driver, earning the New Zealander several penalties.

It does not tell the full story, however, Hartley has taken on new parts after huge crashes at the Spanish and British Grands Prix, while Gasly has routinely taken tactical component changes, including a total engine change at the German Grand Prix.

Red Bull chiefs have confirmed that 2019 parts may be trialled on the Toro Rosso this year, which could lead to more penalties, although Verstappen remains confident that the senior team will not go backwards next year.

"I don't think they have had a lot of issues," he said of Toro Rosso.

"Most of the time, maybe they had a bad qualifying so then it doesn't really make a lot of difference for them to take a new component, so that's what they are doing.

"I'm not too worried. And they still have quite a few races coming up to understand the package, and for next year it's going to be a new engine, it's different.

"They learn from their mistakes, which is good. It's happening on other brands, not only Honda. So, I'm not too worried."

Daniel Ricciardo's decision to ditch Red Bull for Renault may have been centred on the engine change, although team principal Christian Horner recently stated his belief that it was not the case.