"They are also very open and transparent in their approach to Max"

Raymond Vermeulen has heard positive things about next year's Honda engine. The Japanese are said to have made good progress. Max Verstappen is also confident about the seasons after 2021, according to the manager of the Dutch rider.

In an interview with Motorsport.com, Vermeulen explains: "We're very positive about the engine." For 2021 everything seems to go in the right direction for Red Bull, but the question is of course what the plans of Helmut Marko and Christian Horner are for 2022. Engine supplier Honda will stop after next season.

The Austrian team will have to look for a new engine supplier or they will take over the IP (intellectual property) of Honda. The latter is said to be Red Bull's preference, but this also goes hand in hand with negotiations on freezing the power units. Red Bull will not be able to continue developing the engine itself between 2023 and 2025.

The Dutch manager says: "They are also very open and transparent in their approach to Max. We are waiting patiently for that and are confident that it will come to a successful conclusion."

At Verstappens and Vermeulen there is sufficient confidence in the plans. "Yes, because let's be honest: when Red Bull puts their shoulders to something, they do it well. Also with their own F1 team. The moment they would take on Honda's project, I have every confidence in them," he concludes.