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Verstappen has little chance in Russia: 'It has been a Mercedes stronghold'

Verstappen has little chance in Russia: 'It has been a Mercedes stronghold'

18-09-2021 07:48 Last update: 09:53
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GPblog.com

The Red Bull Racing team can enjoy a free weekend, but next week another Grand Prix is scheduled. The Austrian team will then travel to Russia where they will try to score some points with Max Verstappen.

The Dutchman faces a tough challenge, however, as the circuit seems to favour Mercedes. In addition, Verstappen faces a three-place grid penalty due to the incident with Lewis Hamilton in Italy and will most likely change his engine.

Horner has confidence in Verstappen

Team boss Christian Horner hopes Red Bull can pull surprise, he said on Red Bull's official website. "I was looking through the results at the Russian Grand Prix and back in 2018, Max went from last to first before needing to make his pit stop. We were second there last year but it’s a circuit we have never won at. It has been a Mercedes stronghold."

"For me, Monza and Sochi, I’ve them marked down mentally as Mercedes circuits so it will be a challenge. We have the grid penalty to take for Max too, but in Sochi it’s not such a handicap because of the strength of the tow down to turn one. I’m looking forward to it and seeing how we get on."