Verstappen not expecting to beat leaders on merit, but will try

©RedBull

With Daniel Ricciardo starting at the back of the grid, Max Verstappen will carry the Red Bull torch tomorrow, launching his race from P4 after gaining a spot thanks to Valtteri Bottas' demotion.

The teenager is looking to put a halt to his recent run of bad luck which has seen him retire from five of the last seven races.

But Verstappen wasn't exactly satisfied with his Saturday afternoon session given the gap with the front-runners.

"The whole weekend, we haven't been able to get the car like we want to," explained the 19-year-old.

"It's not the grip we want so it's not ideal. It's difficult. I think the track was still improving a little bit in Q3 but the last run was actually alright.

"But we just want a bit more stable balance, a bit more grip. We just can't get on top of it."

Hamilton on pole ahead of Raikkonen and Vettel

Verstappen doubts his race pace will be on a par with Mercedes and Ferrari.

"I think they just stepped up a bit today, so we'll fall behind a bit," he added.

"We always try, but it will be different to beat them on merit and on pace, but hopefully something happens and I have a bit of luck."

Struggling with his RB13's balance hasn't taken anything away from the kick the young charger is getting from racing a new-spec car around Silverstone's fast sweeps compared with last year's sensations.

"It's a lot more than last year," he admits.

"Copse is flat and then when you through Maggots and Becketts, there's no braking just down-shifting with a lift, and then you go mid-corner on the throttle again. It is quick."

GALLERY: F1 drivers' wives and girlfriends

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.