Red Bull fully focused on 2019 season

With Mercedes and Ferrari so far ahead in the constructor standings and Red Bull enjoying a comfortable gap between themselves and the rest of the field below them, the team can afford to focus on next season rather than extend a development programme for the RB14.

Speaking to Kronen Zeitung newspaper, Marko explained that the team will aim to finish the current season strong but that the obvious decision had been made to focus on the following season with greater intensity.

"The euphoria has given way to reality. We have fallen behind Mercedes and Ferrari. We want to end the year as well as possible, but our focus is clearly on 2019."

Marko also added that the team was excited about their new partnership with Honda next season, having finally split away from Renault after four world championships at the start of the decade.

"We are seeing an extreme commitment and great energy from the Honda side. And our side as well, of course.

"After Singapore, some of our leading people flew to Tokyo where the exchange of ideas is intensifying. It's the first time Red Bull has had an engine manufacturer behind us.

"We have good numbers from the factory so far and Honda is enjoying the benefit of insight from four cars. The (2019) car will be ready on time.

"We want to be competitive right from the start and drive for victories. Whether it's enough for the title I cannot say now, but our target must always be this."