Verstappen: 'We're just too slow - more work needed'

©RedBull

Max Verstappen was happy to bounce back with a podium finish in the Styrian Grand Prix after his retirement last weekend, but the Red Bull driver admits his RB16 is still too slow to challenge Mercedes' Black Arrow.

The Dutchman was outpaced by Lewis Hamilton in qualifying and succumbed to both Mercedes drivers in today's race after incurring damage to his front wing late in the 71-lap event.

Hamilton cruises to Styrian GP win after Ferrari disaster

"I was just pushing as hard as I could to stay with them, but clearly it is still not good enough," Verstappen said.

"I did what I could when Valtteri passed me. I tried to make it a bit difficult, because he was anyway going to get by one lap later.

"But at least it was a bit fun because the race was boring. [The] podium was good but still a lot of work to do."

©RedBull

Red Bull's RB16 clearly trails Mercedes' W11 in terms of performance, and Verstappen says the difference between the two cars on the straights points to more progress needed on Honda's end.

"We just need to keep on working, we need to keep improving the car but also the engine, because we are clearly too slow on the straight as well," he added. "So it's a bit of both at the moment.

"To bounce back from zero points last week to a podium now is a good start, but I think as a team we want to win and we want to fight for the championship.

"If you want to fight for the championship of course you need to win races."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

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.