According to Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko, Honda’s developments over the winter will result in engines that are just as powerful as those from Mercedes and Ferrari.

During an exclusive interview with Autosport, Marko stated that “from the chassis side, I think we will be much better prepared than this year. And the development which is going on at Honda makes us believe that next year we will be on the same power level like Mercedes and Ferrari, consistently.”

The Red Bull exec also said that Honda’s true potential has been held back this year because of mapping concerns – an issue that won’t be repeated in 2020.

Also Watch: Red Bull Pit Crew Change All Four Tires In Just 1.88 Seconds

When asked whether next season is a crucial year for his team, Marko admitted that “it’s the last year where we can make Max the youngest champion in Formula 1 [history], 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.”

Marko also asserted that he is very confident regarding their Japanese engine supplier: “I think they [Honda] are doing the right things and the right job. We believe next year we won’t be third.”

What this implies is that Red Bull will either leapfrog Ferrari, Mercedes or both in order to claim the 2020 Formula 1 Constructors title – which is a really bold claim. Then again, it is coming from a team that won four consecutive titles at the beginning of the decade and does have lots of resources, which means they are to be taken seriously.

This year, Red Bull has already won two races in Austria and Germany with Max Verstappen on top.