Max Verstappen has said his Red Bull team is playing catch-up with Mercedes after finishing third in the second Grand Prix race of the season in Austria.

Lewis Hamilton won the race from pole position, while his team-mate Valtteri Bottas overhauled Verstappen four laps from the end to claim second spot. Verstappen’s team-mate Alexander Albon was fourth.

‘We were too slow today to really challenge for victory,’ said the Dutchman. ‘I did everything to keep within range of Lewis, but it just wasn’t possible. We have work to do and need to try to improve.’

The next race of the season is in Hungary next weekend, followed by another pair of races at Silverstone, UK, in early August.

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner said the cars were improving but had a lot of ground to make up in a short time. ‘I’m pleased it went better than last week, but the gap with Mercedes was huge today,’ he said.