Verstappen: Red Bull heading in 'the right direction'

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Max Verstappen was upbeat after setting the pace in Friday's Styrian Grand Prix FP2 session, believing Red Bull's RB16 was performing much better than at the same point last week in Austria.

Verstappen clocked in with the fastest lap in FP2, and although the Dutchman held just a marginal 0.043s lead over Mercedes' Valtteri Bottas at the end of the session, the Red Bull charger felt the team was in a better place at the Red Bull Ring compared to last week.

"We had much better feelings than last Friday," Verstappen said. "We learned more about the car.

"We weren't so happy last week, that's why we tried to fix some things. So far, it's much better. The direction we took seems to be the right one".

2020 Styrian Grand Prix Free Practice 2 - Results

Verstappen needs to play catch up with his Mercedes rivals on Sunday after his early retirement in the Austrian Grand Prix.

But the 22-year-old isn't sure he'll have the "right package" to erase last weekend's disappointment and outpace Bottas and Lewis Hamilton.

"I don't know if we have the right package to win the race, we'll find out on Sunday," Verstappen said.

"Normally our race pace is more competitive but already over one lap we can’t complain and actually the 11 laps I did in last week’s race didn’t look too bad, so it can only get better.

"Even if tomorrow the weather is too bad for qualifying I expect we will still have Sunday morning to do it, so I don’t expect to be on pole position with this lap."

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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.