Red Bull "stupid" for believing it is ahead of Mercedes - Verstappen

Max Verstappen believes Red Bull would be "stupid" for believing this year's Formula 1 title fight with Mercedes will be "easy" and that it is currently ahead of its main championship rival.

The headlines from the recent three-day pre-season test in Bahrain highlighted that Red Bull has built a stable, quick car with its RB16B, while Mercedes' W12 was twitchy at the rear and seemingly not as quick.

It has led to Verstappen being made a narrow favourite with a number of bookmakers to win the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix ahead of seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton.

The Dutch driver, though, is incredibly wary of such a tag despite the upbeat nature of testing.

“For sure the test was a positive start for us and you can always be happy when you get that number of laps in and get a good understanding of the car but it doesn’t say anything about pure performance," insisted Verstappen.

"I know people are excited and think we are just saying this, but Mercedes are still the favourites – how can they not be when they have won seven world championships in a row.

"I’m sure Mercedes also want people to think we are the favourites and put the pressure on us but we are just focused on ourselves.

"You can be sure that everyone in this team and at Honda is pushing to beat them and anyone else who may be quick this year.

"I see every season as a new opportunity to beat them, but we would be stupid to expect that fight to be easy and look at testing and think we are ahead.

"I personally can't wait until we are all pushing in Q3. That is when you will see everyone at full power with low fuel and that is the time to see who developed performance-wise.

"Then in the race, we will see who can keep that performance over a race distance. Let’s hope we can be good at both.”

But after such a strong showing in pre-season, and in light of the way Verstappen ended last year with his win in Abu Dhabi, he recognises he has a strong platform on which to build.

"I have a good feel for the car," added Verstappen. "From my side, the car was stable enough to feel comfortable.

"There are always things to do better but we are always making improvements and that is what the engineers will do.

“Now I have to deliver and the team have to deliver so we can try and mount a title fight. We all know our roles. It's time to see who has got what."

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