Max Verstappen has suggested Red Bull has a much greater chance of catching Ferrari than Mercedes this season, despite the close battle between those two teams.

The Milton Keynes-based outfit has consistently been the third best team at almost every race this year but in recent races, the Dutchman's team-mate Daniel Ricciardo has taken advantage of improving pace to finish third in Spain, Monaco and Canada before taking an unlikely victory last time out in Baku.

Asked in Thursday's press conference, ahead of Red Bull's home race in Austria, whether he thought the recent upgrades had brought the RB13 at least chassis-wise on a par with the top two, Verstappen responded: “I think it’s always difficult to say. “I think Mercedes

“I think Mercedes is still ahead, that’s one thing. With Ferrari, it’s a bit complicated to judge that because in Baku definitely, we were ahead, but we have to wait here and see.

“We need a few races to see where you are and the [other] teams are not standing still. It’s a development process, and we definitely are doing a good job in that but we still need to improve so we need to work harder than the others definitely to catch up to Mercedes.”

Results at the Red Bull Ring, the modern incarnation of the former Osterreichring, haven't always been great for the home team, with second place for Verstappen and fifth for Ricciardo easily the best they have achieved since the race returned to the calendar in 2014.  

Considering realistic goals for this year, the 19-year-old, who will simply want to finish after four retirements in six races, conceded the same fifth and sixth they have occupied for the majority of this year seems most likely.

“On Sunday, even on Saturdays I think we should be around that position,” he claimed.

“As I said, we are getting closer but we are not in the fight yet to really beat them. In Baku, I was stuck behind Perez, but I think we were faster than the Ferraris but Mercedes are still on another level.”

Adding his opinion, Ricciardo, who turned 28 at the beginning of this month, admits the characteristics of the Red Bull Ring are likely to suit their main rivals.

“We will see, hopefully at least fifth but ideally, we can get closer,” he commented.

“We are getting stronger, but this track is not our worst, not our best, Max had a podium here last year, so maybe we can do okay. But Mercedes and Ferrari will still be quite quick here, particularly Mercedes. They normally are quick here and they were quick in Baku.

“They still have an extra setting it seems than everyone else. Here the first sector is more or less all horsepower, so they will make enough step there, even if we can match them in the second and third sector they are still going to be quite strong.”

Pirelli has gone aggressive with their tyre allocation for the United States Grand Prix, confirming the ultra-soft compound will make its debut at the Circuit of the Americas in October.

The choices actually mimic those made last year with the 2017 rubber a step harder than it was last season. That means what was the super-soft tyre in 2016 is the ultra-soft this year, therefore, explaining Pirelli's decision to use the softest three compounds.

The layout at COTA is one the hardest of the year on tyres with the high-speed sweeps of the first section, the slow technical corners in the middle and the long right-hander in the final sector.

That could mean another multi-stop race, something that has become increasingly rare with the more durable tyres, and also likely confirms the end of the hard tyre with only Mexico, Brazil and Abu Dhabi left unallocated.

Carlos Sainz has suggested he could force a move out of the Red Bull stable if he does not get a promotion to the senior team for 2018.

The Spaniard has been patiently waiting for a seat at Toro Rosso since joining alongside Max Verstappen in 2015 but now it appears the in-demand 22-year-old has decided enough is enough.

Speaking ahead of the Austrian energy drinks giant's home race at their own circuit, the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Sainz acknowledges he is still more than happy to remain with the company if the chance to move up is available.

“It’s still a long season ahead and these rumours will always come,” he initially said to reports of his future. 

“My target number one is to be with Red Bull next year and start fighting for podiums, wins or whatever they are fighting for next year.

“I’m going to keep pushing for this. If that doesn’t happen, a fourth year in Toro Rosso is unlikely and I’m not going to close the door to any opportunity.

“I’m definitely ready to take a step forward in my career - I’m ready. I’m not closing any doors. We’ll see what happens.”

As mentioned, Sainz is a man on many teams' radars, including Renault and Ferrari, but the most likely option would appear to be McLaren with the prospect of replacing his fellow countryman Fernando Alonso. 

It would require a lot of negotiation for Red Bull to allow a move however, with motorsport advisor Helmut Marko and senior team boss Christian Horner desperate to keep Sainz on their books as the back-up should Max Verstappen or more likely Daniel Ricciardo make a move away. 

“It’s still very early, I don’t know what is going to happen next year," the second generation racing driver added. “It’s silly season. It’s good fun but for me, the good fun is on track to keep performing as I am up until now.

“I have a job, which is to drive a car and do it as fast as possible.

“I have got to the point now where I feel confident with the team, with the car and I think the season is going positively until now.

“Every time we have finished, we’ve been in the points,” he continued. “We have 11 more points than at this point last season - this is all positive, but we just need to keep working.”

Outspoken former Formula 1 driver Mark Webber wants team penalties to replace grid drops for breaching mechanical rules.

With each driver limited to just four complete power units over the course of this season, it is likely a good number will have to start from the back of the grid at least once this year due to the five and 10-place grid penalties that are given for exceeding that number. A change of gearbox from Practice 3 onwards can also result in a five-place drop with the rules stipulating each transmission must last six consecutive races. 

A change of gearbox from Practice 3 onwards can also result in a five-place drop with the rules stipulating each transmission must last six consecutive races. 

We have already seen an insane example of the current system at work with Fernando Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne picking up a combined 70-place grid penalty for the last race in Baku, three-and-a-half times the number of cars on the grid, and for Webber that is not only wrong for those behind the wheel but also detrimental to viewers at home.

"There's too much policing," Webber said at the FIA Sport Conference in Geneva recently. "I don't want any penalties for a driver that's had nothing to do with it.

"[For example] if a mechanic has put a brake disc in the wrong way, and a driver is at the back of the grid.

"A lot of people don't watch qualifying, they turn on [for the race] and are like, 'why is my favourite driver at the back of the grid?' and so we lose people for that,” he added.

"It's hard enough to get the quality at the front of the grid as it is, let alone having guys diluted down the back through no reason of their own, so we don't need all that junk in there."

With sustainability and cost saving the main reasons for the limitations, the problem the FIA faces is imposing a system that deters teams from accepting the consequences of breaking the limit.

Until this year there was another problem with teams that would purposely use two or three new engines at a single race to avoid facing the same penalties at a later race.

Giving his idea on a penalty that would have the same effect, the former Minardi, Williams, Jaguar and Red Bull driver suggested: "Constructors' points, whatever. Find a way that you don't hurt the driver.

"There have been so many ridiculous penalties over the last five years that the driver has had nothing to do with, and it's had a big impact on how the weekend would have been in terms of entertainment."

Lewis Hamilton has expressed confidence that the relationship between him and four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel will remain respectful even after the Baku incident.

In the first press conference ahead of this weekend’s Austrian GP, the two drivers were present at the same time for the first time since the German deliberately banged wheels with the Mercedes driver.

The controversy continued as the FIA decided to launch a new investigation this past Monday, but no further actions were taken.

"I don't think it does," Hamilton said when asked if the incident changes anything between the two drivers on Thursday.

"Sebastian and I spoke after the race on the Monday and then shortly after that he messaged me the day after I think it was.

"For me, I just said that I still have the utmost respect for him as a driver and will continue to race him hard for the rest of the season, in the same way we always have, no less hard than we have been until now."

For the Briton, the only point of contention with his main championship rival that remained was the original claim that Vettel made which caused his controversial reaction.

"My only point was I felt that saying I had brake tested him… I was saying I hope you can correct that publicly," Hamilton said.

"People watching felt that was something I did, the data showed that was not the case, in actual fact he accelerated.

"The goal [for Vettel] was to be as close as possible, it was an error of judgement, my point was I hoped he'd make that clear.

“I had no intentions [of brake testing], there was no need for me to do that as I was in the lead, I accept his apology and move forwards."

After the incident, Vettel now has nine penalty points on his race licence, two more than any other driver and just three points away from a race suspension.

In response to the press’ question on his delay of showing remorse till the FIA investigation, the 30-year-old stated: "I think the person I had to talk to was Lewis, that was the most important [thing].

"On Monday I went to Paris to see the FIA, we had the hearing, they asked me my opinion in terms of what happened, to run through the incident, that's what I did.

"I don't think there was a need in that regard to talk to you [the media] straight after, you're not the most important people.

"As I said, the most important for me is the guy I'm racing with and that's Lewis and that's who I decided to call first."

Force India COO Otmar Szafnauer has blamed Esteban Ocon's lack of experience for the recent flare-ups between himself and team-mate Sergio Perez at the last two Grands Prix.

In Canada, the Frenchman was felt hard done by after a decision not to ask Perez to let him by potentially cost him a first Formula 1 podium, then at the last race in Baku, the two drivers collided as Ocon squeezed the Mexican against the wall exiting Turn 2 dropping both down the order and ending hopes of another potential top three finish.

Both drivers have since been told the team "comes first" in a meeting to discuss what occurred but Szafnauer's comments are the most critical of the former European Formula 3 champion since he joined Force India.

"I don't think we had trouble in Canada, it was nothing to do with the drivers," he said initially.

"But in Baku definitely, I just think Esteban needs a bit more experience.

"He is young, he hasn't done a lot of F1 races and every time this kind of thing happens you learn, so he just needs to learn it is that simple."

Certainly, the 20-year-old, who has scored at seven of eight races so far and is yet to complete his full season in F1 having joined Manor at the Belgian Grand Prix last year, is keen to move on.

"It's necessary to focus on the future rather than the past. We have discussed everything so it will not happen again," he commented.

As is the case for Williams rookie Lance Stroll, this weekend's race at the Red Bull Ring is a rare occasion for Ocon as he goes to a circuit he has prior experience on.

"I drove there a lot in the junior categories and I tested for Sahara Force India there in 2015. It’s a great place and the altitude makes it a challenge for the engine and the brakes," he said.

"The circuit doesn’t have many corners, but it’s still difficult to get a perfect lap.

"In particular, the last two corners are the most enjoyable in the track because they’re quite tricky and even a small mistake can ruin a good lap right at the end.

"There is no real secret to finding time around the lap; you just have to get the details right and make it stick all weekend."

Robert Kubica is to undertake an extensive assessment of his driving capabilities in a second Renault Formula 1 test that will determine if a full comeback is possible, the team has confirmed.

A second test for the Pole had been reported earlier in the week after he impressed at his first run in an F1 car for over six years, completing a full simulation of a race weekend in just a single day with 115 laps of the Valencia circuit around a month ago.

This will likely mark the most critical evaluation of Kubica's potential and if successful could well earmark the 2008 Canadian Grand Prix as an option for Renault or any team for 2018.

“Whilst the first day of testing at Valencia was no more than to let Robert get reacquainted with the feel of driving again, this second test will be to assess his capabilities to return to the highest level of competition," managing director Cyril Abiteboul said when revealing the test.

"This is a new phase in his personal and professional journey and we are proud to support him in the form of lending our infrastructure at Paul Ricard that is suitable for professional and non-professional drivers.

"There are still many hurdles for him to overcome, and he knows better than anyone else that only his performance will determine if he can one day return to being a professional driver.”

During an appearance for Renault driving the 2012 car at the Goodwood Festival of Speed last weekend, Kubica claimed his chances of a return had dramatically improved from 20 percent to as high as 90 percent.

"My first target was to see if I could be capable of doing it," he added. "So this is more or less done.

"Second, let's say, realistically talking, is raising the game slowly and step by step. F1 is a tough competition and I have been away from racing a long time."

Interest in the engine Formula 1 could introduce from 2020 appears to be growing after several more manufacturers attended the second meeting on Monday on the topic.

Motorsport.com claims former supplier Cosworth and Aston Martin, who is currently in a partnership with the Red Bull team, were the noticeable names alongside Zytek and Magneti Marelli who were also present for the first time.

This follows an initial meeting in March of the FIA Power Unit Working Group featuring the four current suppliers, motorsport managing director Ross Brawn, FIA representatives and the Volkswagen Group, who has long been linked with a return to F1 either with the Audi or more recently the Porsche name.

On Tuesday, we reported how Ross Brawn was looking at enabling greater support or allowing greater freedom for prospective new suppliers in the first years of their participation in an effort to avoid the problems suffered by Honda, as they struggle to match the performance and reliability of their rivals three years after returning as engine partner to McLaren.

It's doubtful that had any bearing on the increased attendance but the meeting was said to be constructive and a general consensus seems to favour an engine similar to that currently being used, with an emphasis on technology still deemed an integral part of F1.

That would also be in line with rumours of a twin-turbo V6 and a return to the KERS used pre-2014, albeit with much more power, being the preferred choice for now.

A third meeting is expected to take place in September, with individual consultations with all parties expected in that time and a potential first concrete proposal put forward at an FIA World Motor Sport Council meeting also scheduled for that month. 

The fallout from the collision between the two Force India's in Baku continues, with Sergio Perez again slamming his team-mate Esteban Ocon.

The Mexican saw a nearly two-year run without a retirement end in Azerbaijan after he was squeezed into the wall by the 20-year-old as the two fought for fourth place after the second Safety Car restart.

A lot of comments have been made about the incident since, with team owner Vijay Mallya hoping both drivers will now put the team first and COO Otmar Szafnauer claiming Ocon "needs to learn" from what took place, but ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix, Perez remains very critical of the approach of the Frenchman.

"I think pretty much all the team-mates in the grid are free to race, obviously with respect to the other car and the other rival,” he said.

"In four years with Nico [Hülkenberg] we never had an issue, we were free to race, had big battles on track, as long as Esteban understand what racing means then that will be clear."

It was the second consecutive race the two drivers had clashed on track and the seven-time F1 podium-sitter actually suggested Ocon's actions could have been linked to what happened two weeks prior.

"I don't know if he was angry or so with what happened in Canada but the team's point of view is in Canada we were free to race," Perez claimed.

"What happened in Baku was just totally unacceptable from the team's point of view, it was the feedback I got from the team.

"In all my experience I had with team-mates, the competition has been intense but never to that extent, never to just unnecessarily crashing into each other.

"I gave enough room, he was already ahead, there was no need at all to ruin our races, and it's the team who pays the price, the team has said a lot since then and for me, there's not a lot more to say.”

In response to that criticism, however, Ocon continued to claim he was not totally at fault and rejected any thought he doesn't know what he's doing.

"I'm not going to go into details, but there were things he did which were not right, there were things I did which were not right," he said.

"So overall it makes it a racing incident and 50-50, so we’re both to blame for that.

"I’ve been finishing more than 40 races in single seaters in a row, I’m European F3 champion, GP3 world champion, so I don’t think I’m lacking experience in racing or wheel-to-wheel fight, so that’s it."

The former Manor driver has had an impressive first full season to date, scoring points in seven of the eight races and sits eighth in the Drivers' Championship.

"I’m not going to change my attitude, I think it’s been working well since the beginning of the year," Ocon added. "Together with the team and the way we work, the only thing I think we will change is to be careful in what we do when we race, we will continue to race, it's going to be a big competition between the two of us all the season long.

"It was both of our fault, I will make sure it doesn’t happen again in the future."

Circuit Paul Ricard, the venue for the returning French Grand Prix next year, would be more than willing to host at least one Formula 1 pre-season test in 2018.

The track at Le Castellet has been used to test F1 cars on numerous occasions in the past, with Pirelli using the circuit to develop their tyres in recent years. 

It has never hosted an official pre-season test though, with that honour typically bestowed on Spain's Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya and most teams would prefer testing to be centred around the Middle East at Abu Dhabi's Yas Marina Circuit and Bahrain's Sakhir Circuit.  

The facilities at Paul Ricard, however, are considered among the best around and earlier reports of a plan to install a circuit heating system alongside that which can simulate wet conditions would make for the ideal destination.

"With great pleasure," circuit boss Stephane Clair told France's L'Equipe when asked if he wanted a 2018 test.

"Our application makes sense, too, we are preparing for it. The teams know the quality of our services and with Magneti Marelli, our telemetry facilities mean the teams have less to take to the testing.

"Also, as the teams will not know the new track, it could be tempting for them. The only question is whether we will share with another circuit. Discussions are ongoing," he added.

Recently there has been speculation as to whether French Grand Prix organisers would decide to use all of the famous Mistral Straight at Paul Ricard for the race, a change from the initial plan which was to add one of the numerous chicanes that have been installed at different parts along it.

However, that may not be the only track alteration before next year's race with Clair revealing: "The circuit for the Grand Prix will be different even if we use the big layout traditionally used by F1.

"This is an idea we've had for a long time and one that has been validated by the FIA.

"The work will be performed at the time of resurfacing that is part of the closure of the track in December and January."