Max Verstappen has admitted it will be 2020 before he can realistically expect to challenge for the Formula 1 title with a Red Bull-Honda car.
There is a lot of optimism around the Milton Keynes outfit over the potential of the Japanese manufacturer based on the gains they have made with Toro Rosso this season.
However, aware that their engine is still some way off the performance of Ferrari and Mercedes, the Dutchman is aware to close that gap will take some time.
"Everyone wants that, but in F1 that’s a tricky thing," he told Holland's Ziggo Sport about a 2019 title bid.
"At first we will need to take some more steps, but hopefully at the end [of next season], we will be close. The year after, we should be out in full force."
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The 20-year-old is impressed by what he has seen from Honda so far as they prepare for their new partnership.
"All in all, Honda is a much more serious candidate. They have already been on the test rig and want a lot of gearboxes from us to prepare themselves for the coming year," he revealed.
"They are enormously driven and want to do thousands of miles on the test rig.
"Looking at where they came from the last couple of years, they have advanced considerably," he added. "You very rarely see something get broken. The most important thing is that they want to take things to the limit.
"They have the means, which is very important if you want to take on the likes of Ferrari and Mercedes."
