Max Verstappen admits that Red Bull will find it difficult to challenge Mercedes and Ferrari in the latter half of the season given their long-standing horse power deficit.
The overhaul of the aerodynamic regulations ahead of the 2017 season was expected to play into Red Bull’s strengths, but a troubled winter has left them third in the pecking order.
The team, who sit 134 points behind the top two, have been forced to settle for a single victory, with Daniel Ricciardo handed top spot in a chaotic Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
And while team principal Christian Horner has set the ambitious target of out-scoring Ferrari after the summer break, Verstappen remains realistic.
“For us, on tracks with not too many straights I think we are reasonably close, so I think around three-tenths, more or less,” the Dutchman said.
“But then of course when you get a few straights in the track then I think we’re a bit further away.
“I don’t know what to expect for the upcoming races but of course it will be quite tough for us to really compete against them.
“I expect in Spa Mercedes will be again very strong because in general, their power unit is still the best in the whole field, but it’s very close [between Mercedes and Ferrari].”
The 19-year old says the onus is on Red Bull to bring upgrades with few improvements in the pipeline from engine suppliers Renault.
“We keep developing, but the other teams do; we have to make sure that we do it a little faster and of course better,” he said.
“I think from the engine side there is not much coming compared to the other teams where there is still development on both sides [aerodynamics and power].
“So we have to make sure our car is definitely going in the right direction.”