Max Verstappen hands Red Bull bleak assessment: 'That's not going to change'

Max Verstappen has delivered a bleak assessment of Red Bull's prospects, insisting its position as the fourth-fastest team is "not really going to change" in the upcoming rounds unless upgrades are introduced.

The four-time world champion finished a lonely fourth in the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix and found himself unable to challenge, or even keep pace with, Lewis Hamilton, the Mercedes duo and Lando Norris.

It has become a recurring theme of Verstappen's season, with the Dutchman lacking the package needed to consistently challenge for the leading positions unless those ahead encounter problems.

In qualifying, Verstappen came agonisingly close to beating Kimi Antonelli to third on the grid but ultimately had to settle for fifth.

For Verstappen, the situation heading into the remainder of the campaign is clear: introduce significant upgrades or remain fourth-best.

"I think, in general, we're still the fourth-fastest team," Verstappen told select media, including RacingNews365. 

"That's not really going to change at any of the upcoming tracks unless, of course, you bring performance.

"We're not going to solve it just by changing the set-up. So, yeah, that's what we'll look at."

Ferrari's latest major upgrade package in Barcelona further increased its advantage over Red Bull, while McLaren also appears to be a step ahead of the Austrian outfit.

The Milton Keynes-based team is at risk of falling well adrift of the leading teams, with Verstappen recognising that this is a season in which upgrades are essential.

Asked if Red Bull is losing touch with the top three outfits, Verstappen replied: "That's the season.

"Whoever brings upgrades will make a jump; it just depends on who is always bringing the biggest one, or the biggest improvement."