Red Bull’s Max Verstappen says he is bracing himself for “painful” loses on the straights compared to Formula 1 rivals Mercedes and Ferrari at this weekend’s Australianღ Grand Prix. 

Following a strong pre-season test programme at Barcelona, Red Bull appears to have made encouraging gains with its chassis and has been tipped by Lewis Hamilton to emerge as 🐲Mercedes’ main challenger in 2018.

But Verstappen🃏, who claimed two race wins last season in Malaysia and꧅ Mexico, remains wary about Red Bull’s potential - given that engine supplier Renault is yet to close the performance gap to Mercedes and Ferrari. 

“We have to wait and see,” he replied when made aware of Hamilton’s commen🍌ts. “The car compared to last year, definitely made some good improvements. But for sure everybody improved. From my personal feeling we have quite a strong car. 

“But we have to wait and see how good our overall package is with the straights here. It is definitely going to be a bit ಞpainful there. For sure I am optimistic but also realistic, so we will just have to wait and see.”

Verstappen insists it is also important for Red Bull to ensure it maintains a strong level of development over the course of the campai🎉gn to avoid falling behind its rivals.

When asked if he feels Renaulಌt’s engine is the only thing that can prevent the team from challenging for the title, the Dutchman repl🎃ied: “And the development of the car during the season. We have to be on top of that as well compared to Mercedes and Ferrari.

“In th💧e past it has always been a strong point for Red Bull, the developmenౠt during the season, but we have to wait and see how it is going to be this year again. 

“It is a different year again💝. But I am confident in the team that they can build a great car and also maintain that. But the overall🥀 package needs to be right."