Max Verstappen: Red Bull ace reveals Circuit Paul Ricard worry before French Grand Prix

Red Bull’s straight-line speed is lower than that of title rivals Mercedes and Ferrari given their engine power deficit.

That meant Verstappen couldn’t get anywhere near race-winner Sebastian Vettel in Canada a fortnight ago, although he did come close to troubling the Mercedes of Valtteri Bottas towards the race’s climax.

The Dutchman had to settle for a third-placed finish, although it was one that he was clearly thankful for having endured a troubled 2018 season so far in which he has been widely criticised for regular errors and crashes.

But after his Montreal podium, the 20-year-old acknowledged that the Milton Keynes-based team are less suited to power-hungry circuits that consist of more long straights.

And that’s exactly what appears to await in Le Castellet, although Verstappen insists that it is not wholly known or not whether Red Bull will be able to challenge for a win at the first Grand Prix to be held in France for a decade.

"I have never actually raced at Paul Ricard so it will be a new track for me,” Verstappen said ahead of this weekend.

“I did the wet weather test there but we only used a few of the same corners and after that they changed the lay-out a little bit. 

“It’s always a challenge going to a new circuit and I’m looking forward to it.

"I think lots of drivers actually haven’t driven there, only the younger drivers in lower formulas, not myself, but the other ones have all driven there. 

“It’s quite close to home, I’m looking forward to seeing a new Grand Prix weekend and I think it’s also good to have a race in France as there are many fans there.

"From what I have seen it is a power track with long straights but there are still a few corners in there where we can make a difference.

“It’s all a bit unknown, so we will have to see when we get there."

The 2018 French Grand Prix weekend gets underway with FP1 at 11am tomorrow.