Max Verstappen does think the front-runners are catchable having endured a tough Friday at the British Grand Prix.
The Dutchman ended the day only seventh fastest at Silverstone, with his fastest lap impacted by running wide at the last of the Maggotts/Becketts curves.
That was perhaps indicative of the type of day the Red Bull driver had at Silverstone, learning the new surface and dealing with the blustery conditions.
“Of course with a new tarmac you need to understand the grip levels a bit but it is good,” Verstappen said in the paddock. “It is a bit bumpy in some places so that’s a shame but in general there is more grip. All the drivers like that.
“In general it was quite windy so it wasn’t easy and clearly we didn’t have a good car balance so that makes it even more difficult.
“At the moment, I would say this Friday is one of the worst I’ve had this year so we still have to work.”
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Despite the problems, Max finished only eight-tenths off the fastest time set by Valtteri Bottas’ Mercedes and that, he thinks, means Red Bull are still in the game.
“It is promising that we are still quite close to Mercedes and Ferrari so that means there is a lot of potential,” he concluded.