Like Red Bull with Verstappen, Honda struck gold during the 2010s when they landed wonderkid Marc Marquez, who won the world championship in his first season in 2013, and therefore was at the forefront of the bike's development for the following years.

Verstappen’s phrasing is interesting. While over a race distance, when speeds are slower and responsiveness is dulled by fuel and worn tyres, there’s no question the Red Bull Racing car is the better machine.