Verstappen hopes Honda can fix Red Bull's key weakness in 2020

Max Verstappen hopes Honda can aid Red Bull's continued improvements in qualifying in the 2020 campaign.

Saturdays have been a key weakness for Red Bull in the V6 Hybrid era, with just five pole positions coming the team's way since 2014.

Verstappen took two of them in 2019, the first poles of his career, and was also quickest in qualifying in Mexico until a penalty dropped him off the front row of the grid.

With convergence expected between Red Bull, Mercedes and Ferrari under 2020's stable regulations, the Dutchman may have more chances for Saturday success next season, but he is not entirely certain.

"I think, qualifying, it depends a bit on the track layout," Verstappen told Autosport.

"From one to the other weekend between the three teams, it is close, but it shuffles around a little bit.

"We are in a good place but, of course, we always want more. So there's still quite a bit of work to do."

Mystery surrounded Red Bull's first campaign with their new supplier, but Verstappen's results improved upon 2018, as he secured career-high totals for race wins, poles and points in 2019.

He said of the transition: "I think it went very well. The beginning is always guessing what they're going to bring throughout the year, but I think they've made some really big improvements.

"What was very important compared to what we had before was the reliability.

"This year we've never retired because of a Honda issue. If you want to fight for a world championship, that is what you need.

"So I am very, very impressed with the way they are working."

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