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Qualify within "two-three tenths" of Mercedes, and it's "game on" - Verstappen

Photo: © LAT Images

Qualify within "two-three tenths" of Mercedes, and it's "game on" - Verstappen

Verstappen targets Mercedes battle

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Max Verstappen has set the target for where Red Bull needs to be in qualifying if he is to challenge Mercedes in the Formula 1 Styrian Grand Prix.

Mercedes topped every session at the season-opening Austrian Grand Prix, but it found life tougher during practice for the second race of the year for the return at the Red Bull Ring.

Verstappen finished top of the timesheet at on Friday " href="https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/54199/red-bull-better-than-last-week-warns-verstappen/">in a car he described as "better than last week", but the Dutch driver aware that constant improvement is required.

“Around here you need quite a bit of confidence to push the high-speed corners, so I just need to figure out how we can make it a bit more balanced and then I’m sure we can be closer," said Verstappen.

“I’m not saying we will beat them [Mercedes] in qualifying, but if we can be within two-three tenths in qualifying then it’s definitely game on in the race.”

Questioned on the developments from power unit supplier Honda between campaigns, Verstappen added: “I think we’ve made good steps, but clearly Mercedes made, I think, bigger steps than us, so we have to keep pushing.

“There’s still performance to gain, but not only from the engine but also the car. We have to push from both sides to get better."

Team-mate Alex Albon agreed the RB16 is a good foundation on which to build, and that some areas just need "tidying up".

Albon commented: “I’m sure it will come, it just takes a bit of time.”

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