---
title: "Verstappen: Rain is only chance to beat Mercedes"
canonical: "https://readmotorsport.com/2016/08/08/verstappen-rain-chance-beat-mercedes/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Ben Issatt"
section: "F1 News"
published: "2016-08-08T13:53:27Z"
modified: "2016-08-08T13:53:27Z"
---

# Verstappen: Rain is only chance to beat Mercedes

Max Verstappen says the weather remains the main variable to offer Red Bull a chance at beating Mercedes.

The Dutchman, who had battles with Nico Rosberg at Silverstone and Hockenheim, believes the RB12 still lacks the pace to provide real competition to the championship leaders.

“Not at the moment,” he said when asked about Red Bull’s chances against Mercedes. “I think they are still too strong.

“In the wet yeah definitely we have a chance like you could see in Silverstone but normal dry conditions they are unbeatable at the moment.

“Of course, we need a bit of luck, sometimes when they touch each other or when they have a little issue or whatever then we have a chance but on just raw speed it’s different,” he admitted.

![Dan Istitene/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readmotorsport.com/readmotorsport/2016/08/579354380.jpg)

As is the problem with wet conditions, however, it will not always work out in favour of those it usually should. Max explained that in the rain-hit qualifying in Hungary, the drying conditions towards the end actually hampered Red Bull’s bid.

“I think in qualifying \[in Budapest\] we could have challenged,” he claimed. “It was just a bit unfortunate how the whole qualifying session went but in the race, they were definitely too strong, that’s a fact.

“On qualifying pace, I think we could have been close. I wouldn’t say we could have beat them but it could have been close and I also didn’t expect to beat them in Hungary.”

![Mark Thompson/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readmotorsport.com/readmotorsport/2016/08/584825664.jpg)

What has been apparent, and was the case at Hockenheim, is over a race distance the gap between the two teams per lap is much smaller than over a single lap in qualifying.

Despite that Verstappen can only point to the streets of Marina Bay as a circuit where his team could potentially end Mercedes’ run of wins since his own victory in Spain back in May.

“For the rest of this season, we can be close again in Singapore but all the other tracks it will be hard.

“In the end, for the whole season, I think Monaco is still the best chance. I think Singapore will be close to Monaco but not as strong as Monaco,” he concluded.

Regardless of how they get on against Mercedes, it is also clear that 2016 has gone much better than many had expected.

The TAG Heuer-branded Renault power units have taken a large step forward and allowed the Milton Keynes-based squad to use the potential of its class-leading chassis.

![Dan Istitene/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readmotorsport.com/readmotorsport/2016/08/579464380.jpg)

After a steady start to the season, Red Bull are now second in the Constructors’ championship 14 points clear of Ferrari after their double podium finish in Germany.

And are also now seen as the team most likely to disturb the Mercedes dominance and the new rules for 2017 may well provide the perfect opportunity.

For now, the aim will be to cement second behind Mercedes and against a fired up Ferrari that will make for an epic battle between now and Abu Dhabi.