Max Verstappen believes that recent advances in Mercedes F1 could rekindle tensions with Red Bull Racing if they return to the fight.
The fierce competition between Red Bull Racing and Mercedes F1 last year brought Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton with multiple flash points on the track.
Not only that, the tension between the two teams also led to an off-course verbal war between Christian Horner and Toto Wolff’s team representatives.
In the final round of the F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, on the controversial final lap, Mercedes F1 felt that Luis Hamiton had been robbed of the F1 World Champion by Max Verstappen, and there was fierce competition after the end of the season.
So far this season, the Mercedes F1 has struggled to get the performance out of its new generation F1 car and couldn’t fight for victory in the race.
However, consecutive podiums in the last four races show that Mercedes F1 is on the rise and may be able to return to the fight to win the race.
In that case, Max Verstappen believes that a new tug of war could occur between Red Bull Racing and Mercedes F1.
“Last year’s conflict wasn’t necessarily between drivers, but between teams,” Max Verstappen told Serbus TV.
“Of course, we’re not fighting Mercedes at this point. I think it’ll be different if we fight again. Maybe it’s the end of the season. I’ll see what happens.”
But Max Verstappen doesn’t see the Mercedes F1 as an imminent threat to Red Bull Racing or Ferrari.
“They’re better than early in the season, but we need a little more,” said Max Verstappen.
“They aren’t bad on one lap, but in the Sunday race (Austria) we quickly pulled them apart.”
“I think it has to do with different circuits. At Silverstone, they were very fast in the race.”
“It’s the same with us and Ferrari. Ultimately, the details make a difference.”
Category: Category: F1 / Max Verstappen / Red bull