Can Red Bull challenge Mercedes? "Yes, his name is Max Verstappen"

Mercedes may be well position with Lewis Hamilton on pole, but Toto Wolff is wary of the threat Max Verstappen poses from second on the grid ahead of the German Grand Prix.

Hamilton overcame illness to secure pole for the race at the Hockenheimring but Max Verstappen is in great form and starts second on the grid. The Dutchman won the Austrian Grand Prix and was on course for another podium until Sebastian Vettel wiped him out at Silverstone last time out.

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff is aware of the challenge Red Bull will be mounting and singled out Verstappen.

When asked by Motorsport.com if the Red Bulls could be a threat Wolff replied: "Yes, his name is Max Verstappen.

"In hot conditions and rough asphalt Max, and Red Bull, in general, have already shown an excellent race pace by managing the tires perfectly. They are undoubtedly a threat."

Wolff also revealed more about Hamilton's illness and spoke about the measures they had in place.

"Yes, on the eve of the weekend he told me he wasn't feeling well, and we know there's an influence around the paddock.

"We knew that Esteban (Ocon) would be on the track with us all weekend, we simply prepared if needed," he added.

Follow GPblog now on Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook!