Verstappen calls for Mercedes-like "predictable" Red Bull

Max Verstappen has demanded a more predictable Red Bull if he is to challenge Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas for the Formula 1 drivers' title this season.

The season-opening back-to-back grands prix in Austria highlighted the fact the RB16 is lacking in certain areas compared to the Mercedes W11.

Verstappen, in particular, felt his car differed from one weekend to the next at the Red Bull Ring, and feels that needs to be addressed ahead of Sunday's Hungarian Grand Prix if he is to have a solid platform on which to build a competitive campaign.

"Any car is difficult when you drive it on the limit. It's more about it being predictable," said Verstappen.

"The first weekend it wasn't, it was really tricky, which is why I guess the spins happened - the one spin and the little off.

"But I think the second week, I don't think there were massive issues in the dry. The car balance was fine, I didn't have anything I was worried about, or that I felt, so we definitely cleared up a lot of those things.

"The first week we got it wrong, the second week it was a lot better."

In offering a clear assessment as to where he feels the W11 has the advantage over the RB16, Verstappen added: "Clearly they gained quite a lot on the straight, and of course, around the Red Bull Ring there are not many corners to get that back, so that's a bit of a handicap around that track.

"Low speed we are very competitive, so that's a positive. A few high-speed corners, they are just very strong.

"You look at their onboard and their car is very stable and predictable. Mine, as I said, the second week it was a lot more predictable, but it seems like they have another step on top of that.

"They can really throw the car in and the car just looks hooked. We will try to work for something like that. It has a lot of impact on tyre life as well when you have a very stable car.

"It's not only over one lap but also the race as well to keep on top of your tyres. It seems like they are pretty decent about that as well."

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