MAX VERSTAPPEN has responded to Lewis Hamilton’s claim that Red Bull’s 2023 car is quicker than any version of his dominant Mercedes.
Verstappen, 25, has won two of the opening three races of the season in Bahrain and Australia.
And his team-mate Sergio Perez claimed the other Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia.
Verstappen is seeking a third successive world title after years of Mercedes glory.
The Silver Arrows claimed seven championships in a row between 2014 and 2020 – with Hamilton winning six of them.
But after Red Bull’s one-two in Saudi Arabia last month, the Brit, 38, insisted he had never seen a car as quick as this year’s runaway leaders.
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When asked if Red Bull’s dominance could be bad for the sport, the seven-time champion said: “I don’t know, it’s not for me to say, but I’ve never seen a car so fast.
“When we were fast, we weren’t that fast. That’s the fastest car I’ve seen compared to the rest. I don’t know why or how but he came past me with serious speed.
“I didn’t even bother to block because there was a massive speed difference.”
Now Verstappen has had his say on those comments.
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And the Dutchman believes the numbers show that Hamilton’s theory is not true.
He told RacingNews365 NL: “I think if you look at the statistics, then those statements are not correct.
“But we also do have a very good car. Nothing wrong with that, of course. Still, we are not as dominant as Mercedes has shown some years.
“I don’t pay much attention to that, that doesn’t get you anywhere.
“Whatever we have done in the eight years that Mercedes is so dominant, we also tried to close the gap. That’s the only thing you can do.”
Next up for both drivers is a trip to Baku for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on April 30.
But Mercedes are not expected to add any significant upgrades to their car until Imola, Italy, in May.
Hamilton has managed two fifth places and a second place so far this season.
But Mercedes and the rest of the grid are still a long way adrift of Red Bull’s blistering pace.
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
