Verstappen taking satisfaction from 2020 F1 results despite Mercedes domination

Max Verstappen says he’s still not getting frustrated by Red Bull's inability to challenge Mercedes for regular victories in the 2020 F1 season.

Verstappen sits third in the drivers’ championship after 14 races with nine podiums to his name, including one victory at the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix.

Despite not being able to challenge Mercedes for wins on a regular basis, Verstappen is taking satisfaction from finishing on the podium and says there’s no point being frustrated given Mercedes’ significant performance advantage.

“You just don’t want to be walking around frustrated trying to get results which are not possible - that’s what I am trying to do,” Verstappen said. “I just keep pushing myself, keep trying to get the best possible result what’s within the car.

“Every weekend again the same. I know I can’t fight for the championship this year in general even though sometimes it looked like we were a bit closer of course but then also with the retirements we had it was very quickly out of the picture. I do enjoy now that if I get a third or second.”

The Dutchman was on course to split the two Mercedes drivers again last time out at Imola but suffered a tyre failure in the closing part of the race.

Reflecting on Imola, he added: “I was enjoying Imola a lot where finally I was a bit closer and I could actually be within two-tenths of them, one-tenth in terms of lap time so you’re really motivated to try and stay with them, and pass a car where normally I know they’re just running away from me three, four-tenths a lap so I am a bit in no man’s land which isn’t what you want.”

Verstappen confirmed there has been no explanation from Pirelli for his tyre failure.

“I guess they’re still investigating. Looking at the videos with the team we couldn’t see anything weird happening or debris hit but they will investigate it more and we will see what the outcome is.”