Verstappen and Red Bull "still not where we want to be" after Friday in Saudi Arabia

Max Verstappen believes there is still work to be done at Red Bull Racing, unsure of where the Austrian team currently stand as it is "very difficult to compare" from last week's Bahrain Grand Prix.

The second free practice session for the Dutchman was an improvement on the first, taking P3 under the lights of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.

However, there is still no clear indication on whether the RB21 will make any improvements after a disappointing showing in Bahrain last week, with Verstappen not wanting to speak at the post-race debrief, such was his displeasure at the team.

Verstappen remains realistic after FP2

“Today we tried some different things with the car and worked to find a different direction," the Dutchman explained.

“I think we learned a lot from the sessions today, but it is still not quite where we want the car to be. I think at the end of the day, you just have to go from your own feelings and assess what you get from the car. Over one lap, it’s a bit better, but the long runs are still tough.”

Read also

Vowles explains earlier remark about Verstappen and Mercedes: 'Their decision, but not the right one'

Norris and Piastri send ominous message to the rest of the grid in FP2 ahead of Verstappen, Hamilton P13

“Compared to Bahrain, the grip levels and set-up of the car are completely different,t so it is very difficult to compare to last week, but it is still clear that we want to be faster,” continued Verstappen, sure whether there will be any changes from last week's disappointment in Bahrain.

"For tomorrow, it is difficult to say how competitive we will be; the McLarens look really competitive. There is still a bit of work to do and things to understand, so we will see," concluded Verstappen.

This article was written in collaboration with Cas van de Kleut