World Champion Max Verstappen says the Formula 1 pecking order behind Red Bull is “very confusing” in the wake of McLaren’s performance in Britain.
Red Bull has won all 10 grands prix this year, as well as both Sprint races, but no team has yet established itself as de facto second-best.
Verstappen has won the last six grands prix but drivers from four different teams have finished runner-up across the most recent four events.
Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton was second in Spain, followed by Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso in Canada, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in Austria, and finally McLaren’s Lando Norris in Britain.
During Verstappen’s streak of victories Alpine has also taken a podium finish courtesy of Esteban Ocon in Monaco.
“It’s very confusing to me because every single race weekend, it’s someone else,” said Verstappen on his nearest competitors.
“I think is because it’s so close behind that if you get your car in a little bit of a better window, it works on one particular track.
“For me, I don’t know what’s going to happen in Hungary to be honest, who is going to be quick or the second quickest.
“The stable factor so far is that every single weekend, it seems like we are on top, which of course is the most important from our side.
“But again, Hungary completely different track, we will put some upgrades on the car there and hopefully they will work well.”
Team boss Christian Horner believes the shifting picture behind Red Bull has benefited the squad’s prospects.
“I think it makes it easier in many respects that we just focus on ourselves, and it’s somebody else every other weekend,” he said. “It’s interesting to see how the form is moving around.”
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