Verstappen doesn't believe Red Bull can fight Mercedes in Japan

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen has dismissed the chances of his team competing with Mercedes at the Japanese Grand Prix.

Verstappen qualified in third place, with only the two Mercedes drivers, Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas, in front of him.

The Red Bull driver was the benefitter of a confusing Ferrari tyre strategy that went horribly wrong, most of all for Sebastian Vettel - who could only manage P9 in Q3.

The Dutchman has ruled out his chances of winning the race tomorrow but insisted that his team's aim is to get back on the podium in Suzuka.

"I honestly don't think we can take the fight (to Mercedes)," Verstappen admitted to Crash. "At this track, being as close as I can, but I think we're quite far off.

"So I'm hoping for the same tomorrow but definitely Ferrari, with Kimi starting behind me, he will try to put some pressure on and I think Sebastian will come through the field. I think we have to make sure we have the right strategy."

Verstappen feels a lot better about racing today than he did yesterday when he was openly unhappy about his car.

"After yesterday, I was really not happy but today it was a lot better," he added. "It's difficult to find a good compromise, losing quite a lot of straights, then gaining a lot of downforce. It evens out a bit.

"It's a little better on the straight, but a little slower in the corners so in the end of the it doesn't matter what we put on the car."