Red Bull Formula 1 advisor Helmut Marko believes Max Verstappen made a "positive step" over the winter 𒁏that will result in a more patient and mature approach through the 2019 se﷽ason.

Verstappen will step up as team leader at Red Bull for 💫2019 ꦓfollowing Daniel Ricciardo's move to Renault, and will be looking to build on his run to P4 in last year's drivers' championship.

A string of errors in the start of the 2🌌018 season led to concerns about Verstappen's approach and mindset, but Marko is encouraged by the progress he has seen from the 21-year-old heading into the new campaign.

"He did already a very positive step with extra effort and concentration before testing. He saw it as a duty and now he understands that, which is very, very important," Marko told Sky Sports.

"We had some discussions about being patient, which is one thing𝓀 he will show. He also understood that if he can’t win, it is important to take points and finish races, otherwise we won’t win the championship.

"He is mature enough, even if he is still very young, he is far more mature. He and the team go into the se🎀ason with a lot of confidence."

Red Bull began a new partnership wit🍬h engine supplier Honda at pre-season testing in Barcelona earlier this week, coming in line with B-team Toro🅺 Rosso, which has been powered by Honda since the start of 2018.

Marko was encouraged by the early signs shown by 🦄the Red Bull-Honda partn💞ership, claiming it was the best pre-season so far for the teams.

"We have had a very good time and the engine is reliable.൲ I would say we have never had such a good preparation for this season with both teams," said Marko.

"It is a new period. We don’t💖 look back, we look forward. It is a very good relationship.

"The concern of course was about reliability, but so far that is not a probꦐlem at all.

"It is a newꦐ culture as well, ꦉbut it fits well with out people."