Verstappen: Mercedes are too quick

Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen has admitted Mercedes are "too quick" to try and catch at the Monaco Grand Prix, but the Dutchman remains hopeful he can beat the Ferrari drivers.

Verstappen was sandwiched between the Mercedes duo of Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas in FP1. However, the Dutchman sustained damage to his car and had to sit out for the majority of FP2.

"I think we are still quick," Verstappen said to RaceFans on Red Bull, who were victorious in Monaco last season. "In the second practice, when everybody went onto their second set, we had a radiator leak because some debris flew into the airbox and damaged one of the radiators so we had to replace it. In general, it's alright."

Mercedes topped both sessions on Thursday, with the Silver Arrows finishing seven-tenths ahead of Sebastian Vettel in FP2 - who was the next fastest car.

"I think Mercedes is too quick," Verstappen continued. "But the big gap in between second and third, we should fill that up."

Verstappen returned to the track towards the conclusion of FP2, but was then heard complaining about the car's balance. The 21-year-old explained what exactly happened in a bit more detail: "It didn't work but I know that if we go back to the other set-up, it's not too bad.