Mercedes look genuinely good as Verstappen itches for challenge

There weren’t a lot of smiles at chez Mercedes at the Circuit de Catalunya on Friday evening.

The significant upgrade they had taken to Monaco the previous week had seemed like a qualified success, but the acid test was always going to be the Spanish track. With its blend of fast and medium-speed corners, it represents the sort of characteristics Formula One cars will most encounter over the course of a season. If you go well there, you’ll generally go well in most places.