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Red Bull can provide a "big challenge" to Formula 1 pacesetter Mercedes in the coming grands prix, according to Danill Kvyat.

The Russian scored the second podium of his F1 career with third in China.

His team-mate Daniel Ricciardo recovered from a puncture when leading to take fourth.

It leaves Red Bull third in the constructors' championship, just four points behind Ferrari.

"Mercedes is still a bit of a step ahead but with the developments in the future races, probably around Canada, we can make a bit of a step forward," said Kvyat.

"In some circumstances, we can be quite a big challenge to them.

"It was quite an encouraging race. I thought we were close in our pace to Ferrari.

"We are consistently third-fastest team on the track and with a bit of development in the future we can give a fight to these guys even a bit more.

"It's all looking quite promising for the future."

Kvyat spent much of the race battling with his Red Bull predecessor Sebastian Vettel, who described the Russian as "suicidal" after an incident with the Ferraris at the first corner.

Vettel eventually overcame Kvyat in the final stint, where Red Bull had to run mediums as it had no softs left while Ferrari could take the faster tyre.

"Our main competitor through the whole race was Sebastian," Kvyat said. "He made an excellent recovery.

"We probably missed out a little bit not having a soft tyre in the end for the last stint and on the medium we couldn't really resist for too long to him and he overtook us.

"When we both were on the soft, our pace was very similar.

"But all in all, it was a very encouraging weekend."