Verstappen: Red Bull Honda engine switch wouldn't sway F1 2019 plans
Max Verstappen says he is not worried that Red Bull may have to use Honda Formula 1 engines from 2019, and will decide on his long-term future early next year
One of the consequences of Toro Rosso and McLaren's engine swap deal is that Renault is working to end its arrangement to supply Red Bull with power units beyond the end of next year.
It has left Red Bull in a situation where it may have no option but to use Honda from 2019, irrespective of how much progress the Japanese manufacturer makes over the next 18 months.
Red Bull has a contract with Verstappen for 2019, but it is understood there are options in that agreement that would allow the Dutchman to leave early.
Asked if his thoughts on the future were changed by the possibility of Red Bull taking Honda engines, Verstappen said: "That is 2019.
"I am not making that decision. I know I am driving with a Red Bull Renault next year and then we will see.
"First we need to see what I am doing in 2019. I am not worried about it.
"I want to focus on the beginning of 2018 and see how competitive we are.
"It could be that Honda next year is very competitive, but I don't know what is decided for the future.
"I just want to see what will happen at the beginning of 2018 and then we will know."
Red Bull 'can be a threat' in Singapore
Verstappen arrived in Singapore confident that Red Bull has the opportunity to beat Mercedes around the street circuit.
"If we look to Monaco where our car was not as good as it is now, we were already quite competitive - especially in the race," he explained.
"So I am definitely looking forward to the weekend. We can be strong, but we need to get the set-up right.
"I really think we can be a threat. We have a chance [to beat Mercedes] if we get everything right."
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