Verstappen decides not to test: "Mercedes doesn't benefit from that"

This week Mercedes drove on the track for the first time since the corona crisis broke out. Both Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas had the opportunity to drive the 2018 Mercedes at the Silverstone circuit. Ferrari will do the same later this month at Fiorano.

Red Bull Racing and Max Verstappen have chosen not to do so and will therefore not be back on the asphalt until the free practice sessions in Austria. Although Mercedes claims to have benefited a lot from the test, Verstappen doesn't think he's missing anything.

To the German Sky Sports he says the following about that: "I don't think they have an advantage because of that. You have to drive an old car, so I decided not to do it. After four or five laps in Austria I will have found the rhythm again".

The Dutchman goes on to say that despite the lockdown he is now fitter than he was in Australia. During the first weeks he had to sit at home, he trained six hours a day. The team will also bring some updates to the Red Bull Ring so it can't be a bad time to prepare, but still Verstappen thinks Mercedes will be the favourite.