Verstappen hopes to be within 0.5s of Mercedes at F1 British GP

Max Verstappen says he’s unsure how Red Bull will fare in relation to Mercedes at this weekend’s Formula 1 British Grand Prix.

Mercedes has dominated the opening three rounds of 2020 with Valtteri Bottas winning the season-opening Austrian Grand Prix, while Lewis Hamilton took the chequered flag first at the subsequent Styrian and Hungarian Grands Prix.

Silverstone is expected to suit Mercedes given its strengths on the straights and in high-speed corners, leaving Verstappen unsure how close Red Bull will be this weekend.

“Last year, we came here and we thought we’re going to get smashed and we were within two tenths in qualifying,'' Verstappen said. ''It can depend on a lot of things. For sure, they are the dominant team and they will be very fast. It can be from two tenths to a second - you don’t know, you really don’t know.

“I hope it’s not going to be a second, I hope not. I hope to be within half a second, that would be good I think.’’

Not only has Red Bull lacked pure pace in 2020, the RB16 has also been a difficult car to drive with Verstappen and Alexander Albon struggling with its temperamental handling.

The Dutchman agreed with his team-mate that it isn’t just one area where the team is struggling, but more how the car is in terms of consistency.

“It’s just sometimes when it becomes a little bit unpredictable - that is the tricky bit,’’ Verstappen added. “Honestly, in the race [last] Sunday I was pretty happy with the balance I had but it’s just a bit too slow at the moment. We will try to improve.’’