Verstappen: Red Bull can’t fight Mercedes in Japanese GP

Max Verstappen has already dismissed his chances of fighting for victory at the Japanese Grand Prix against the Mercedes pair despite qualifying in third directly behind Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas.

The Red Bull driver profited from a questionable Ferrari strategy in Q3's mixed conditions to produce his best lap early in the session to lockdown third place albeit with a 1.3-second deficit to pole-sitter Hamilton.

Having struggled to match the Mercedes’ pace in practice, while being fancied for challenging Ferrari at Suzuka, Verstappen says Red Bull’s focus will be fighting to retain his podium place rather than attacking for victory against the reigning F1 world champions.

“I honestly don’t think we can take the fight [to Mercedes],” Verstappen said. “At this track, being as close as I can, but I think we’re quite far off.

“So I’m hoping for the same tomorrow but definitely Ferrari, with Kimi starting behind me, he will try to put some pressure on and I think Sebastian will come through the field. I think we have to make sure we have the right strategy.”

Kimi Raikkonen starts alongside Verstappen in fourth place for Ferrari while Sebastian Vettel will line up down in eighth – after Esteban Ocon was hit with a three-place grid penalty after a red flag infringement from FP3.

With focus turning to defending from the Ferrari pair, Verstappen concedes Red Bull has struggled to find a ‘good compromise’ with its set-up to cover its power deficit to its main rivals. The Dutch driver was particularly frustrated following Friday practice but is optimistic ahead of the race thanks to overnight fixes.

“After yesterday I was really not happy but today it was a lot better,” he said. “It’s difficult to find a good compromise, losing quite a lot of straights, then gaining a lot of downforce. It evens out a bit.

“It’s a little better on the straight, but a little bit slower in the corners so in the end of the day it didn’t matter what we put on the car.”

12 months ago Red Bull secured a double podium result behind race winner Hamilton at the Japanese Grand Prix following the mechanical nightmare which struck Ferrari.