Verstappen demands Honda power push for sustained 2021 title tilt
Verstappen demands Honda power push for sustained 2021 title tilt
Max Verstappen has called for more power from Honda ahead of its final year in Formula 1 if he is to finally push Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes for the titles in 2021.
Verstappen enjoyed a stunning campaign this year, finishing on the podium in 11 of the 12 races in which he saw the chequered flag - including two victories - albeit blighted by five retirements, none of which were his fault, and 133 points adrift of Hamilton in the standings.
The Dutch driver has headed into the winter break buoyed by his triumph in the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in which he out-performed Mercedes on merit.
Verstappen knows, though, if he is to maintain that level of performance next season then he requires all-round improvement from the car, notably with the power unit.
"We know we have to work hard over the winter to be better and stronger because you can’t just rely on this result," said Verstappen on his success at the Yas Marina Circuit.
"We know that we still have to improve the car a lot, and we know it’s some areas we have to really work on, and that’s not only on the car but also power-wise – we need more!"
Even though Honda confirmed earlier this year it would be bowing out of F1 at the end of 2021, it does have a new upgraded system in the pipeline for the RB16b, as the car is to be called as it is an iteration of this year's model.
Verstappen is now hoping the break will serve as a tonic to the team after an intense campaign of 17 grands prix in 23 weekends caused by the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
"We definitely go into the winter with a good feeling," added Verstappen.
"It’s always nice to win the last race, for the whole team, especially after a year like this when it’s been very tough and a lot of races followed up after each other.
"It’s been hard on everyone, especially the mechanics but also the people back in the factory manufacturing all the new parts because we brought quite a lot this year.
"I just hope we learn from our mistakes, also at the beginning of this year [with those] we made and hopefully build a better car to start next year."
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
F1 star accuses team-mate of ‘crossing the line’ in battle
- 34 minutes ago
F1 team lodge FIA PROTEST over Chinese Grand Prix qualifying result
- 1 hour ago
Hamilton in 's*** happens' outburst after huge China failure
- 2 hours ago
F1 News Today: Alonso hit with China PENALTY as Hamilton endures Shanghai nightmare
- 2 hours ago
F1 star PENALISED following controversial Chinese GP incident
- 3 hours ago
F1 Qualifying Results: Chinese Grand Prix 2024 times - 100th Red Bull pole as Hamilton crashes out in Q1
- 3 hours ago
Related news
Wolff 'p*****' by Verstappen error as star makes Mercedes debut
Hamilton gains HUGE win over Verstappen at unusual venue
F1 champion questions ‘value’ of Verstappen’s titles
Former F1 team manager reveals moment he KNEW Verstappen was 'special one'
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860