Max Verstappen believes Red Bull will not be able to match the pace of the top teams at the British Grand Prix and will be dependent on mixed conditions to help them.
The Dutchman will be leading the charge for the Milton Keynes-based team as teammate Daniel Ricciardo will start on the last row following a turbo problem in Q1.
The 19-year-old is not enjoying his best period in F1, with five retirements in the last seven races, but has had some change of luck at Silverstone benefiting from the penalties of the cars around to start fourth for the race.
Improving on that could be difficult, however, with Verstappen still unhappy with the balance of his RB13.
“The whole weekend, we haven’t been able to get the car like we want to,” he claimed. “It’s not the grip we want so it’s not ideal. It’s difficult. I think the track was still improving a little bit in Q3 but the last run was actually alright.”
“It’s difficult. I think the track was still improving a little bit in Q3 but the last run was actually alright.”
“I think they just stepped up a bit today, so we’ll fall behind a bit,” he added referring to the higher engine modes available to Ferrari and Mercedes.
“We always try, but it will be different to beat them on merit and on pace, but hopefully something happens and I have a bit of luck.”
One aspect last year’s podium finisher is enjoying is the extra speed the new cars are allowing around the historic circuit.
“It’s a lot more than last year,” he said of the cornering speeds. “Copse is flat and then when you through Maggots and Becketts, there’s no braking just down-shifting with a lift, and then you go mid-corner on the throttle again. It is quick.”