Max Verstappen admits Red Bull has a lot of work to do if i🧜t is to challenge Mercedes on raw pace in the remainder of the 2020 Formula 1 season.

Verstappen was unable to challenge Lewis Hamilton for th🦩e victory, and was overtaken by Valtteri Bottas in the closing laps - despite his impressive defence of the Finn in the lap pr𝔍ior.

Reflecting on his first podium finish of the season, the Dutchman concede🤡d Mercedes is simply too fast at ജthe moment.

“We’re just too slow. I pushed as hard as I could to stay with Lewis. It’s not possible," he💞 said. 

"We have some work to do. Of course with Valtteri I could see 🐻him coming - my tyres were pretty dead.

“Up until then, for me, it was a really boring race just seeing Lewis pulling away. I just tried to do it at my own pace. One lap of fighting with Valtteri was cool, but of course, I knew the lap afterwards he’d p✃ace me anyway but at least a bit of excitement is good.’’

Verstappen believes Mercedes is ahead in both engine pe✨rformance and chassis performance, stating that Red Bull has to improve in all areas if it is to have a realistic shot of the drivers’ championsജhip this season.

“[We have to] keep on working, keep on improving the car but also the engine," Verstappen added. "We are clearly too slow on the straights as well. I think🐻 it’s a bit🐟 of both, that we need to work.’’

Verstappen now sits sixth in the cꦓhampionship, 28 points behind leader Bottas.