Max Verstappen believes Red Bull junior outfit Toro Rosso can establish itself as the third fastest team in 2016, behind current pacesetter Mercedes and its nearest rival Ferrari.
Although Verstappen finished tenth and team-mate Carlos Sainz ninth at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix – partly due to a mid-race red flag mixing up the result – the Dutch youngester qualified fifth behind both Mercedes and both Ferraris, whilst Sainz was seventh.
Verstappen is therefore of the belief that Toro Rosso are third quickest and can remain so for much of the season.
"Given where we started in Australia, we now realise we can be the best team after Mercedes and Ferrari," he said in an interview with Gazzetta World.
"It’s great that a lot of people are surprised by Toro Rosso," he added. "The car has improved thanks in part to the Ferrari engine."
The 18-year-old hopes to capitalise on that early pace advantage: "I expect a better season with even more growth. It depends on a lot of factors. The car is competitive and I must take advantage of these opening races to earn important points."
