‘Honda will match Merc and Ferrari power in 2020’

Shahida Jacobs
Helmut Marko says there is no signature yet from Red Bull on the new Concorde Agreement.

Helmut Marko says there is no signature yet from Red Bull on the new Concorde Agreement.

Red Bull “won’t be third” next year as Honda will match Mercedes and Ferrari’s power levels “consistently”, according to Helmut Marko.

The Milton Keynes squad have finished third behind Merc and Ferrari the past three seasons while you have to go back to the 2013 season for the last time they tasted title success.

Although they have not been able to match the two front runners regularly this campaign, Red Bull and Honda have made progress as they managed to win two races and also picked up four podiums.

With Honda expected to take another big step forward in terms of engine performance next year, Red Bull advisor Marko is expecting big things in 2020.

“From the chassis side I think we will be much better prepared than this year,” he told Motorsport.com.

“And the development which is going on at Honda makes us believe that we will be next year on the same power level like Mercedes and Ferrari, consistently.”

Asked if 2020 is a crucial year for both parties, Marko said: “I wouldn’t say it’s crucial. It’s the last year where we can make Max the youngest champion in Formula 1 and we have to deliver, yes.

“But we know that and it’s part of our DNA. We have to win, yes. It’s not crucial, it’s a must.”

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