Verstappen: Red Bull F1 ‘overachieving’ by splitting two Mercedes

Max Verstappen believes Red Bull has “overachieved” in the opening part of the 2020 Formula 1 season as he sits second in the drivers' championship heading into the Belgian Grand Prix this weekend.

After the opening six rounds, Veratappen splits the Mercedes pair of Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas in the championship.

The Dutchman has finished on the podium in every race that he has finished and claimed his surprise victory at the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix at Silverstone.

Reflecting on his season so far ahead of this weekend’s race at Spa-Francorchamps, Verstappen believes Red Bull has “maximised” its opportunities in 2020.

“I think looking at pure pace, they of course, both of them, they should be ahead of me in the championship,” Verstappen said. “Of course, Valtteri had one retirement, I had one retirement - retirement, not retirement, he finished out of the points with a puncture, so no points. But of course, that was unlucky for him and for me in the first race.

“I think overall to be second in the few races where I think Mercedes had more pace, we definitely over-achieved a bit and besides that we always maximised what we could. I am of course very happy with that.”

While the Dutchman is happy with his season so far, he admits finishing second or third is simply not enough as he goes in search for his F1 maiden title.

“I think as a team and myself, we are not here to be second or third, we want to fight for the championship but you also have to accept the situation that we are in, Verstappen added. “We are not really able to challenge. 

“Yes it looks like it on paper but if you look at the pure pace we are too slow. At the moment, of course, we’re relying on a bit of an off day for Mercedes or a bit of luck to win a race. There’s a lot of work to do.”