• Former driver says Red Bull got design of 2020 car wrong.

• Robert Doornbos drove for Red Bull Racing in 2006.

• Max Verstappen admits that Mercedes too strong this year.

• For more motoring stories, go to www.Wheels24.co.za

Red Bull went "the wrong way" with development of its 2020 car, according to former team driver Robert Doornbos.

Max Verstappen, billed as the best challenger to Mercedes' dominance for this year, admits that Red Bull is "a little further away" than the team wanted for the new season.

Doornbos, who raced for Red Bull in 2006, told Ziggo Sport: "Red Bull seems lost for the moment. In terms of development, they have gone the wrong way. Since the winter test in Barcelona, they made the wrong choices for the development of the car and they are now realising it."

Merc very strong

Verstappen admits that Red Bull's quest to recapture the title might need to wait a little longer, although he insists he will not give up.

He told AS newspaper: "It is clear that Mercedes is very strong right now and we have to close a gap. I hope that in the coming years we will be able to do that and be at their level, which is why I signed with Red Bull for the long term. I think we can do it and we will see in the coming years if we do or not."