Verstappen: F1 set-up experiments led to Hungarian GP practice spins

Verstappen had two separate spins in the early moments of the opening session in damp conditions, complaining over the radio that the rear of his car felt sensitive.

The Red Bull driver went on to finish second in both practice sessions and said that the spins had come as a result of the team experimenting with set-up.

"We tried a lot of things. Some worked and some didn't. Still, at the end of the day, I think we are competitive," said Verstappen.

"We tried a few things on the car. Initially, I was happy in FP1, then we tried a few things that I was not so happy about. I had a very strong front end but I was losing the rear.

"But I think it was important we test those things because, again in FP2, the car had a nice balance."

Championship leader Lewis Hamilton set the pace in the first practice session and Verstappen says he expects Mercedes to hold an advantage through the weekend.

"We seem to be competitive but I still expect Mercedes to be a little bit ahead of us," said Verstappen.

"We still have a little bit of work to do, but it was also not bad at all. We are competitive again this weekend but let's wait and see tomorrow."

Verstappen's team-mate Pierre Gasly topped the second practice session, but the former Toro Rosso driver said Mercedes and Ferrari cannot be discounted.

"Mercedes look as strong as we expected, and Ferrari we don't know so far," he said.

"We know the battle will be there, fighting Ferrari, and we see what we can get."