Red Bull Racing will test new parts on its RB16 on Friday according to Max Verstappen as the Milton Keynes-based outfit aims to get to the bottom of its car's troubles.
Red Bull was expected to hit the ground running at the outset when the season kicked off in Austria.
While Verstappen secured two podium finishes in the first three races, neither the Dutchman nor teammate Alex Albon have been able to challenge front-runner Mercedes, with both drivers complaining about their car's unpredictable handling which has impacted its pace.
The team will run through various aero programs on Friday at Silverstone but Verstappen made clear that progress would unfold gradually.
"I think we are still learning, we're bringing a lot of new parts to the car," said Verstappen ahead of this weekend's British Grand Prix.
"They are different parts, to see what works, what doesn't, and where we can still improve. I mean this is of course not from one week to the other that it is going to be solved.
"We need a bit more time for that. But, yeah, we're working on it, and we'll just find out by trying it on track as well, to know if we're heading into the right direction."
On paper, Silverstone's fast, sweeping layout should benefit Mercedes' undefeated W11. But Verstappen is unsure by how much, hoping to get within half a second of the Black Arrows.
"Last year we came here and we thought, ‘OK, we're gonna get smashed’ and we were within two tenths in qualifying. So, it can depend on a lot of things.
"For sure, they are the dominant team and they will be very fast. So, it can be from two tenths to a second. You really don't know.
"I hope it's not going to be a second. I hope to be within half a second, that would be good, I think."
For many, Mercedes' current form points to a run-away title for the Brackley squad, especially as F1's regulation freeze will limit the scope of development for this season and in 2021.
Yet Verstappen is confident that Red Bull will improve and eventually challenge its arch-rival.
"You would like to come to the weekend and know that you’re going to fight for victories every weekend," he said.
"But at the moment, that is not the case. We just try to learn and try to improve and, hopefully, towards the end of the year, or next year, you know, we can be in that position again."
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