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Max Verstappen has revealed that he is prepared to be patient with Honda in 2019.
Especially in 2018 as the collaboration looked to end, the Dutchman ramped up his harsh criticism of Red Bull's outgoing engine partner Renault.
'Solve things with pressure'
But Verstappen told Ziggo Sport that he never meant to "offend" the French marque.
READ: Red Bull drivers expect Honda progress in 2019
"I just wanted to make it better. I want to solve things with pressure as you always have to be open to criticism. That is how I grew up," said the 21-year-old.
"I am not here with the Olympic idea. You have to want to win but that has to come from both sides."
Verstappen has spent the last months building up expectations of something better from Red Bull's new works pairing with Honda that begins in 2019.
'I do not expect a flawless year'
But he said he is also prepared to be patient with the team's new Japanese partner.
"I do not expect a flawless year. I will always be sharp but you have to believe in the project. We can not immediately be impatient with Honda," said Verstappen.
"After four years in which it did not work out, you are just done with it at some point. Then you sometimes have an explosion. But that is different with Honda.
"I do not expect to compete for the championship from the start of the season. I hope we are just a bit closer, and then I can do a year like Lewis did - very consistent.
"That is a lot better for the championship. You do not necessarily have to have the best car," Verstappen added.