Brawn: Honda will make Red Bull title contenders

Ross Brawn says Red Bull and Honda must become championship contenders. Red Bull, who now become a full works team, have a really good opportunity according to the Formula 1 boss.

The Austrian team haven't been on the top spot since they completed a four-year title sweep in 2013, while Honda hasn't touched a podium since their reintroduction to Formula 1 in 2015.

"Honda teaming up with Red Bull will be positive because Red Bull become a full works team," Brawn told Autosport.

"It's something I have always focused on because it really does give you some great chances. Red Bull have now got to grasp that opportunity with Honda and get back into the really sharp end.

"They have to become a championship contender again."

Helmut Marko and his Red Bull colleagues have suggested the team must make Max Verstappen the youngest champion ever in Formula 1. They'll have two seasons to achieve this feat and Brawn insists the 21-year-old has all the talent to beat the likes of Hamilton and Vettel.

"What we are seeing with Max is a great maturing of his approach, losing none of his speed and aggression but just being a bit more tempered in terms of how he attacks things," Brawn added.

"In the right car and right team, he's world champion material for sure. Max will be the known reference in the team in 2019."