Red Bull F1 team can be 'big challenge' to Mercedes reckons Kvyat

Red Bull can provide a "big challenge" to Formula 1 pacesetter Mercedes in the coming grands prix, according to Danill Kvyat

The Russian scored the second podium of his F1 career with third in China.

His team-mate Daniel Ricciardo recovered from a puncture when leading to take fourth.

It leaves Red Bull third in the constructors' championship, just four points behind Ferrari.

"Mercedes is still a bit of a step ahead but with the developments in the future races, probably around Canada, we can make a bit of a step forward," said Kvyat.

"In some circumstances, we can be quite a big challenge to them.

"It was quite an encouraging race. I thought we were close in our pace to Ferrari.

"We are consistently third-fastest team on the track and with a bit of development in the future we can give a fight to these guys even a bit more.

"It's all looking quite promising for the future."

Kvyat spent much of the race battling with his Red Bull predecessor Sebastian Vettel, who described the Russian as "suicidal" after an incident with the Ferraris at the first corner.

Vettel eventually overcame Kvyat in the final stint, where Red Bull had to run mediums as it had no softs left while Ferrari could take the faster tyre.

"Our main competitor through the whole race was Sebastian," Kvyat said. "He made an excellent recovery.

"We probably missed out a little bit not having a soft tyre in the end for the last stint and on the medium we couldn't really resist for too long to him and he overtook us.

"When we both were on the soft, our pace was very similar.

"But all in all, it was a very encouraging weekend."

shares
comments

Chinese Grand Prix driver ratings

Ferrari F1 team sure it could've won Chinese GP in a straight fight

The factors for and against a Red Bull upset in F1’s Monaco GP

The factors for and against a Red Bull upset in F1’s Monaco GP

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Monaco GP
Alex Kalinauckas

The factors for and against a Red Bull upset in F1’s Monaco GP The factors for and against a Red Bull upset in F1’s Monaco GP

What Aston Martin's Honda deal reveals about its true F1 mindset

What Aston Martin's Honda deal reveals about its true F1 mindset

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Jonathan Noble

What Aston Martin's Honda deal reveals about its true F1 mindset What Aston Martin's Honda deal reveals about its true F1 mindset

Would Hamilton really be a worthwhile F1 investment for Ferrari?

Would Hamilton really be a worthwhile F1 investment for Ferrari?

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Monaco GP
Matt Kew

Would Hamilton really be a worthwhile F1 investment for Ferrari? Would Hamilton really be a worthwhile F1 investment for Ferrari?

Why the growing pains of F1’s cost-cap era require patience

Why the growing pains of F1’s cost-cap era require patience

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Jake Boxall-Legge

Why the growing pains of F1’s cost-cap era require patience Why the growing pains of F1’s cost-cap era require patience

Has F1 gone too far with its sprint race format tweaks?

Has F1 gone too far with its sprint race format tweaks?

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
GP Racing

Has F1 gone too far with its sprint race format tweaks? Has F1 gone too far with its sprint race format tweaks?

The crucial next steps for McLaren on its path to F1 recovery

The crucial next steps for McLaren on its path to F1 recovery

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Alex Kalinuackas

The crucial next steps for McLaren on its path to F1 recovery The crucial next steps for McLaren on its path to F1 recovery

The bigger answer Mercedes needs from its now delayed F1 upgrades

The bigger answer Mercedes needs from its now delayed F1 upgrades

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Jonathan Noble

The bigger answer Mercedes needs from its now delayed F1 upgrades The bigger answer Mercedes needs from its now delayed F1 upgrades

What the lessons of 2013’s mid-year tyre change mean for F1 2023's dominant team

What the lessons of 2013’s mid-year tyre change mean for F1 2023's dominant team

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Emilia Romagna GP
Alex Kalinuackas

What the lessons of 2013’s mid-year tyre change mean for F1 2023's dominant team What the lessons of 2013’s mid-year tyre change mean for F1 2023's dominant team

Subscribe