Max Verstappen has looked to mend the fence with Renault, insisting his criticism was only aimed at pushing improvement of their engine.

In what was an increasingly tenuous relationship between Red Bull and the French manufacturer, the Dutchman was one of the most vocal voices getting into a back and forth with managing director Cyril Abiteboul.

However, now that the team and engine supplier have gone their separate ways, Max has tried to put the whole situation behind him.

“It was never my intention to put them down, but I want to make it better,” Verstappen said via his website.

“Look, we now have a deal with Honda, but if we had continued with Renault next year, I would want us to make progress.

“I am just very clear in what I say. I could say that they can take it easy, but I am not like that. It can and must be better and I just always want full commitment.

“You have to be open to criticism, that is how I grew up. I’m sorry if you can’t deal with that, but I’m not here to join in with the Olympic idea," he added, referring to the idea of being happy just to take part.

“I want to win and for that, all parties have to be committed.”

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• Renault 'not unhappy' to be ending Red Bull partnership - Prost
• Verstappen & Renault boss Abiteboul trade barbs over engine

As for the future partnership with Honda from 2019, Verstappen enjoys the same enthusiasm as Red Bull over the potential and has just a single goal in mind.

“Hopefully it will be a long-term collaboration,” the 21-year-old said. “I don’t expect that everything runs smoothly at once, you can’t expect that I think. I will always be focused, but you also have to believe in the project and be patient.

“I do not expect that we can really fight for the championship at the start of the season, but if we are just a little bit better than this year, we can be closer to the competition and run a consistent season, that is already an improvement for the championship.

“You do not necessarily need to have the best car.”