Verstappen: Red Bull can fight Mercedes, Ferrari and France

Max Verstappen believes Red Bull can mix it with Ferrari and Mercedes in the fight at the front during next week's French Grand prix, having struggled for top-line pace in Canada last time out. Verstappen and Pierre Gasly came home fifth and eighth in Montreal respectively.

Verstappen's efforts in Canada were hampered by an unfortunate elimination in Q2 in qualifying, but he recovered from ninth on the grid to fifth, although the Mercedes and Ferrari cars were too strong for him to reel in.

Gasly, meanwhile, finished behind both Renaults as he struggled to make an impression.

However, Verstappen finished second in France last year, while Gasly will be desperate to impress in his home race, and the Dutchman says the ingredients are in place for a successful outing.

"France is still a very new Grand Prix for F1 which makes it naturally more of a challenge for all teams and I had not raced there before 2018," he said.

"Last year was good for us, we got the strategy spot on and finished second on the podium which was a good Team result.

"It’s not an easy track with very wide open entries to corners which is different to most other tracks we race on. I think in general it’s good to have a Grand Prix in France. It’s a historic track which is well known for its safety, it also attracts lots of fans who love the sport which is great to see, especially for Pierre. It’s also not far from home, which makes life a bit easier.

"We maximised things in Canada and we are working hard to improve all aspects. I feel comfortable in the car so I hope we will be able to challenge the frontrunners more closely in France."

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