Verstappen fastest and Ricciardo third in both Friday practice sessions; But Mercedes don't run hypersofts and show best long-run pace
Tuesday 11 December 2018 11:36, UK
Red Bull believe Mercedes are still favourites at the Canadian GP, despite Max Verstappen topping both of Friday's practice sessions.
With fresh questions over his driving following his Monaco crash and a controversial outburst on Thursday, Verstappen responded on track as he led Lewis Hamilton in Practice One before outpacing Kimi Raikkonen in the afternoon session.
Verstappen's best laps were set on the hypersoft tyres but Mercedes opted against running the softest tyre in either session and had the best long-run averages in Practice Two.
The Dutchman believes Red Bull have made a strong start but thinks they are still playing catch-up on the Silver Arrows.
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"The car is working well but we are still lacking a bit of top speed - you could see that in the long runs. Mercedes look very quick there," Verstappen told Sky Sports F1.
"But I think we are not too far away. Just in general a positive day."
Team-mate Daniel Ricciardo was third in both sessions, despite suffering from fresh engine trouble, and concurred that Mercedes would be strongest on Saturday when they turn their engine up in Qualifying.
"Mercedes will be quick tomorrow for sure," he told Sky Sports F1.
"I'd say they're the ones to beat at the moment. But hopefully we have a smooth day tomorrow and can get a few more laps and more pace."
Ricciardo was victorious in Monaco last time out despite battling an MGU-K issue for over 50 laps.
Red Bull have opted to re-install Ricciardo's first MGU-K component of the season in a bid to avoid a 10-place grid penalty, but fresh engine gremlins limited the Australian to just 30 minutes running in Practice Two.
"There was some electrical stuff going on. It hindered us this morning and this afternoon," the Australian added.
"Not the best day but we're OK. Max showed good pace so I think there is a bit for us to learn."
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Analysis from Sky F1's Damon Hill:
"The strategy will be very interesting. Will anyone manage to get through to Q3 on the ultrasoft? I think tomorrow we will see a little bit more performance.
"I think Red Bull will be a little bit under pressure when Ferrari and Mercedes show a little bit more of their form.
"I was a little bit surprised. Red Bull were a lot stronger than I expected them to be. I was speaking to Christian Horner on my flight over and I asked if he felt they would be hurting on the straights and he seemed a bit down in the dumps about it, but maybe he was sandbagging. This car looks really good.
"Mercedes were definitely holding a little bit back for tomorrow. Typically Ferrari don't show their hand [on Fridays]. Kimi typically seems to be a little bit quicker until it comes to the final shooting match and then Sebastian Vettel will deliver the final result.
"Strategically, Red Bull can afford to gamble. Christian was saying that, as outsiders for the championship, they are able to come here with an aggressive strategy and have nothing to lose in their approach, whereas Ferrari and Mercedes are tending to protect their position.
"I'm expecting to see Verstappen very punchy, he put in the fastest time, and I expect to see the Red Bulls threatening all through the weekend."
