Ambitious Verstappen hoping to catch and challenge Mercedes

The in-form Max Verstappen said on Thursday he has set his sights on not only overhauling Ferrari, but also catching and beating Mercedes on a regular basis in the future.

Speaking to reporters ahead of this weekend's German Grand Prix Red Bull's Dutchman, who is third in the driver's championships, said he wanted to close the gap on Mercedes and in Hungary next week before he headed off on holiday for the traditional European summer break.

"Closing the gap to Mercedes," he responded to a question about his biggest target in the next two weeks.

"We want to win so that's our biggest challenge ahead -- to try and close that gap.

"We are further away than I would like, but we are getting closer. It's not good enough, but we know that so we're working hard to try and close that."

Verstappen is behind the two Mercedes men, with defending five-time champion Lewis Hamilton on top 31 points ahead of Valtteri Bottas.

The 21-year-old has been in fast and consistent form this year with a ...