Verstappen excited about Honda-partnership: "I can't wait for next year"

Red Bull's Max Verstappen has expressed his excitement for next season when his team will make the switch from Renault to Honda, as the Dutchman has a lot of confidence in the Japanese after visiting the factory.

Verstappen, and Red Bull as a whole for that matter, have grown rather frustrated with their current engine partner Renault. The French power unit in the back of the RB14 has caused a lot of mechanical DNF's this season. This has been a problem for the team in recent seasons, with Verstappen in particular letting his criticisms of the power unit being known to the media.

Now, the dawn of a new are for Red Bull is close, as they'll switch to Honda after 12 years with Renault. Verstappen, for one, can't wait until 2019 because of that.

"I've been able to have a look around the factory a few times and the crew is very motivated to make that next step to the top," Verstappen told Formule1.

The 21-year-old managed to win one race this season as he won Red Bull's home race in Austria, but the underperforming Renault engine has really limited the Dutchman's performances as well. At Singapore, he impressively finished in second, and last weekend in Russia he finished in fifth after starting in P19, earning him his second Driver of the Day-award in a row.

Still, a driver as talented as Verstappen should be competing for wins, which is exactly what Honda should offer the Bulls next season. We hope.