Verstappen jokes about Mercedes: “I think they will be last”

Where will be Mercedes in Bahrain? It's a question that has been driving the paddock since the last pre-season tests. Among the Germans, we stubbornly say that the W13 is not yet at the level to fight for victory. On the competition side, it is with enormous grain of salt that we take the declarations coming from the reigning world champions like Carlos Sainz a few days ago.

« This is typical of Mercedes and George (Russell who said that Ferrari seemed the best team at the moment) than putting opponents over their heads before you get to the first race and crush the rest of the competition, had launched the Madrilenian. If this was the first year they did it I might believe them but they have been doing it for 5/6 years and continue to surprise us at the first race. So as you can imagine, I don't really believe in it. With the data we can see what they are doing (on the track)… (He searches for words) I won't say more. »

So info or misinformation? It was enough to ask the question Max Verstappen this Friday a few moments before the official start of the 2022 season. Present in front of the media, the Batavian took the pleasure of answering questions concerning Mercedes in his own way.

« I think they will be last according to their comments, ironically launched the reigning world champion. I think they have a horrible car as they say every time since the 2017 pre-season testing. We'll see but I'm sure they will be competitive. »

Also launched on the subject of the outcome of the previous campaign and the conditions for acquiring his title, Max Verstappen made things clear. “ I have nothing to provehe recalled. I proved it last year by taking the most pole positions, winning the most and leading the most laps in the race. People seem to have forgotten this and are only looking at Abu Dhabi apparently. There were other races than Abu Dhabi in the season. » What is there to envisage for a more prolific 2022?

« If you look at last season we could have had more wins and pole positions. You need a truly competitive car to achieve this, continues the Dutchman. It will be difficult to achieve such a performance again but you always want to try to do better. I hope that if we have a competitive car we will manage to do something similar. » See you on Sunday at 16:00 p.m. for the first departure of the year.

ALSO READ > Is Mercedes (again) bluffing?