F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Red Bull boys cautiously optimistic for race day

Red Bull Racing's Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo were left in P5 and P6 when all was said and done in qualifying on Saturday with both drivers lamenting their top speed deficit to Mercedes and Ferrari.

Ricciardo's Q3 was troubled by a DRS issue, a glitch that only made matters worse for his RB14 down Silverstone's straights.

"I lost it, between Turns 4 and 6," explained the Aussie.

"The last lap they figured it out but yeah, the first lap - I guess the best lap - I didn't have it. It's alright, it's just a bit frustrating, I don't know why but just an inconvenient time."

"It's not going to change the world for us, it's just a bit frustrating.

"We know we are already a bit off the pace, down the straights we lose a lot so when I saw I was pulling the DRS and it wasn't working I was just more frustrating than anything."

Higher temperatures forecasted for Sunday will likely bring tyre management into play once again, and Ricciardo is hoping a strategic advantage may be gained at some point in order to mix it up at the front.

"I'm really optimistic that's it not going to be a one-stop boring race, I think it's going to be hotter tomorrow from what I understand. Hopefully a two stop works," he said.

"We chose to save a new set of softs in Q2 if we need to use them in the race.

"We're planning a little bit in advance for tomorrow, we kind of knew in qualifying we were going to be fifth and sixth as a team, so we'll try to make the most of the race."

Verstappen, who edged out his team mate by 0.497s in Q3, also rued his straight-line speed, although he was happy with the overall performance of his car.

"We lose more than a second on the straights so this track is getting less and less favourable for us, so it's a shame," he said.

"But the car felt really good in qualifying, especially in Q3, we made some little adjustments to the front wing.

"The car is strong, we all know that, but for tomorrow it's going to be a bit warmer but I still think it's going to be a bit of a struggle compared to the guys ahead."

The Dutchman also warned that any extra effort to remain inContact with the cars ahead could take its toll on the tyres given the heat.

"We have to push harder on our tyres and with the heat it's not ideal but let's see.

"Most of the time when we said it's going to be a boring race we actually got a very entertaining race, so I hope the same for tomorrow."

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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.

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