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Edition

Australia

Verstappen thinks Red Bull is closest to Mercedes

Max Verstappen believes Red Bull is Mercedes' closest challenger after Friday practice for the British Grand Prix.

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB12

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB12

XPB Images

Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing RB12
Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing RB12
Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing RB12
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB12
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB12
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB12
Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing RB12

Both Verstappen and teammate Daniel Ricciardo showed strongly at Silverstone on Friday, finishing third and second respectively behind the Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton.

Verstappen reckons Red Bull is ahead of Ferrari so far, although he admitted it is too early to say if his team can challenge Mercedes this weekend.

"Very good day. We are competitive," said Verstappen. "I enjoy driving here. It was a bit tricky in the second session with the wind but I think that is okay.

"We are quite happy. We are quite fast. And not too far off the Mercedes cars, so a pretty positive day I would say.

"It is still a bit of a power track but you also have the fast corners in it, so that is good for us. It was a good day. Short run was good competitive but also long runs were very good. Pretty pleased with that."

When asked if Red Bull could challenge Mercedes, he said: "That is a bit early to say. They are pretty quick still. If we can behind them as the second team that would be pretty good."

Ricciardo upbeat too

Teammate Ricciardo agreed that Red Bull was looking strong.

"Compared to Lewis, it looks pretty good," he said. "I am not convinced they have got everything out of that today, but I am happy with where we are today.

"It is good. Long runs seemed a bit more competitive than last week as well, so far so good for a Friday.

"There is still a bit more to get out of the car, the soft on high fuel, there was still a bit more I wanted from it to try to get closer."

The Australian suffered a problem with the gearbox right at the end of FP2, but is hopeful it will be sorted overnight.

"To be honest, they had some warnings coming up and they said not to change gear, something with the gearbox. Just one or two laps left, they have time tonight. It is better to sort it tonight and make sure not too critical."

Additional reporting by Jonathan Noble

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Edition

Australia