Verstappen tries to stay optimistic: "At least on the podium."

Mercedes may have built one of her fastest cars ever. But that can't mean that Red Bull can be seen so far behind the German team. Certainly not when Red Bull announced that it had run the 'best winter ever'.

Mercedes may also have been a bit lucky that the temperatures remained low last weekend. Mercedes has indicated as more often that it has difficulty to cool several components of the car. Despite expecting higher temperatures this weekend Max Verstappen, as best competitor of Mercedes, is not very optimistic: "Mercedes is too far ahead. You're not going to make up for that whole second in qualifying thanks to higher temperatures and neither are you going to make up for that half second per lap in the race," says Verstappen opposite Motorsport.com.

Despite the painful state of affairs, the Dutchman is still positive about the course of next weekend: "I am very motivated to do as well as possible this weekend. In any case I will try to be on the podium and we'll see what else is possible".