Max Verstappen insists rival Lewis Hamilton's pessimism over Mercedes performance is unfounded

World champion Max Verstappen has dismissed Lewis Hamilton's claim that he will not be able to fight for victory at Sunday's Formula One curtain-raiser in Bahrain.

Hamilton made the pessimistic prediction following last week's concluding test, also in Bahrain, that he fears Mercedes have failed to get on top of the sport's new rules.

The Silver Arrows have struggled with 'porpoising' - the phenomenon seen this year when the car violently bounces on its suspension at 200mph.

But Verstappen, who denied Hamilton a record eighth crown at last season's contentious finale in Abu Dhabi, said the British driver has history of downplaying his chances, and accused rivals Mercedes of hiding their true pace.

"Somebody sent me the articles from 2017 onwards and it's been the same story in pre-season, and then they've been first at the opening race," said Verstappen.

"You know how dominant they have been in those previous years.

"Of course, they have little issues but everyone has little issues. And for sure from their side it looks a bit bad because they're bouncing a lot. But it's not really limiting them in performance, it's just really uncomfortable to drive.

"You could see in the laps they were doing they were not completing the lap with full power but they're hiding so it's just how they are.

"They don't want to show anything, they don't want to make it look bad, and then they look amazing suddenly by improving. They for sure will be good."

Verstappen's rivalry with Hamilton was pushed to breaking point and beyond last season in the greatest F1 duel of the modern era. How is his relationship with the 37-year-old ahead of the new season?

"All good," replied the Dutchman. "We just saw each other on the grid and you know, you ask how is