Verstappen: Red Bull “not quick enough” but also “not too far behind”

Verstappen finished third and fifth in FP1 and FP2 during the high temperatures that saw Ferrari occupy the top spots in both sessions.

In Austria the Dutchman won in similar temperatures, overtaking Charles Leclerc in the closing laps for the team’s first victory of the year.

But Verstappen dampened down the Red Bull chances at Hockenheim, saying after FP2: “It was okay.

“We are not quick enough yet to fight with Ferrari and Mercedes. We are also not too far behind.”

Rain and cooler temperatures are supposedly due for Saturday, which could see things change, but because of the high temperatures Verstappen was unable to get a clean lap on the softest compound.

“In FP2 I never really had a clean lap on the softest compound because I had to abort it,” he added.