Max Verstappen makes joke at Mercedes' expense ahead of new F1 season

Max Verstappen appears in a good mood heading into the new Formula 1 season and has joked that the Mercedes will be ‘dead last’ based on their comments post-testing in Bahrain.

The new F1 season is here with the Bahrain Grand Prix this weekend and it sounds as though we could see a shake-up in the running order.

Of course, it’s early days and testing only shows so much but there is a feeling that Red Bull and Ferrari are the current teams to beat, with Mercedes perhaps 3rd quickest.

Both Lewis Hamilton and George Russell have said that there is work to do at the Silver Arrows if they want to be challenging for race victories this season, too, but Verstappen is among those not really buying what they’re having to say.

He said:

“I think they will be dead last! According to their comments, I think they have an awful car. And they have that already since 2017 in pre-season testing.”

We’ve seen Mercedes play things down before and then blow the field away but it does seem they are a little short of where they want to be right now.

Ultimately, though, the talking is about to stop and the real business is about to begin.

Practice is underway in Bahrain today whilst qualifying takes place tomorrow afternoon.

The race itself takes place on Sunday afternoon, meanwhile, as Bahrain opens up the new F1 season for the second year running.

And, with all new regulations and rules, it’s going to be fascinating to see who actually is on top – someone will have to be!