Max Verstappen didn't expect Red Bull to beat Ferrari

Max Verstappen

Verstappen didn't expect Red Bull to beat Ferrari

He's third in the standings after five races.

Matthew Scott

Monday 20 May 2019 12:40 Updated: 08:30

Max Verstappen says Red Bull did not expect to be challengers to Ferrari at this stage of the 2019 season, putting his achievement of topping both the Scuderia's drivers into sharp focus. Verstappen is third in the drivers' championship, behind the runaway Mercedes pair Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas.

Verstappen has scored podium finishes in Australia and Spain this year, finishing fourth in the three other races in a remarkable show of consistency.

Beating at least one Ferrari in every race so far is something of a surprise given the red cars were expected to be the dominant team after their pre-season testing performances.

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And Verstappen is satisfied to have made the most of his car as Red Bull continue to get to grips with Honda.

"Now I am in third place in the championship, even ahead of Ferrari, and that's not where we normally expect to be," Verstappen told Motorsport-Total.com.

"All in all, we are only third-best in terms of power after the races so far.

"As a team, you naturally want more and more, but on the other hand you have to be happy when you have maximized your results."

Red Bull may well expect to outperform at this week's Monaco Grand Prix owing to their traditional strength in high-downforce situations, but Verstappen has warned the tables will turn later in the year.

"They currently have a very strong engine," said Verstappen. "On some tracks with long straights like in Monza Ferrari will therefore be ahead."