British GP spin cost Daniil Kvyat chance to fight for F1 podium

Christian Horner believes his Red Bull Formula 1 team could have challenged for a podium in the British Grand Prix had Daniil Kvyat not spun when it started to rain

Red Bull brought an updated package to this weekend's race and looked more comfortable on the sweeping turns of Silverstone with Kvyat qualifying seventh and Daniel Ricciardo 10th.

Kvyat went on to finish sixth in the race, 37 seconds behind third-placed Vettel, with Ricciardo retiring with an electrical failure of the ERS and turbo.

Horner said Kvyat was driving well before a spin on his in-lap, and he felt the Russian deserved better than sixth.

"For the first time since Monaco, it felt we were in the race," Horner told reporters at Silverstone.

"We were racing the Ferraris and Kvyat made a good move on Seb [Vettel] into Luffield and then focused on a one-stop strategy.

"Daniil had a spin on his in-lap where he lost 10 to 12 seconds and then there was the deteriorating circuit.

"Without that, we would have been pushing Sebastian for a podium."

Vettel, who was in the pits when Kvyat spun, said he was confused to see the Red Bull hadn't made up much time on him while he was in the pitlane.

"I was surprised because I had Kvyat behind me when I boxed, and when I came out I could still see him just ahead," said Vettel.

"So I didn't know what happened to him in between, but I guess the track was tough."

It was Red Bull's best result since Kvyat scored a career-best fourth place in Monaco with Horner pleased to see the team making progress.

"Overall, it's been a positive weekend and the car has made a forward step," he said.

"We take heart from this weekend as it's been encouraging.

"Throughout practice and the grand prix we have looked certainly been lot more competitive and Hungary represents a better opportunity for us.

"The layout of the circuit was always going to play for our strengths.

"But something that reassures us is when you get a bit of variable conditions, we saw Kvyat was the quickest on the track in last few laps there, when the rain came on the slicks.

"It's great to see flashes of real potential there. Ultimately it could have been better today but it could have been a lot worse."