Red Bull focus on 2020: "We target a championship fight from the outset in 2020"
F1 News
Max Verstappen's win last time out during the Austrian Grand Prix has sparked some optimism within the Red Bull garage. In the build-up to the race in Austria, rumours started that Verstappen could use a clause in his contract to leave Red Bull early.
Ever since then, Christian Horner has spoken about his desperation to keep the flying Dutchman inside his cockpit. In a recent interview with Motorsport.com, Horner reveals the team must build a Formula 1 championship contender for Verstappen next year.
"Max is a big asset for us. We've got to deliver him a car he can compete for the world championship with. Now, 2019 was always going to be a transitionary year with a new engine partner, and that whole marriage and integration. At the moment that has exceeded internal expectations," Horner said.
"He's [Verstappen] at a stage now in his fifth year of F1 racing where you see it has become complete in the last 12 months. He's got maturity on his shoulders now as well. The way he handles pressure has been extremely impressive."
Red Bull is already pushing Ferrari for second place in the constructors' championship. They've managed to win a race before their Italian rivals. But next year, Horner is targetting a fight with Mercedes right from lights out in Australia.
"That [engine deficit] has been our Achilles' heel since 2013. For us, 2019 will be an evolving year. But our target is to be in the championship fight from the outset in 2020," Horner continued.