Max Verstappen has become a nemesis of Mercedes ever since 2021. If it were not for Max, then Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton would happily carry on with their dominance on the grid. From 2014 to 2021, the Silver Arrows was unbeatable except in the driver’s championship of 2021.
The Dutchman narrowly edged out Lewis Hamilton to win his maiden title in 2021. Since then, coming to 2023, Max is still unbeatable. He has won back-to-back driver’s world championships. On the other hand, Mercedes is looking for a way back into the title contention. But looks like the Red Bull driver has once again made a nasty comment against Mercedes that is not coming out very nicely. But what did Max Verstappen say? Keep reading to find out.
Max Verstappen Pokes At The Rival Mercedes Car
The rivalry between the camps is growing more robust than ever. Everybody pokes at each other, from the principals and drivers as well as to the fans of both teams, and never leaves an opportunity to poke and poke back. Recently, Max Verstappen utilized another opportunity to poke Mercedes. When an iRacing compatriot named Johhny asked the Dutchman about the least fun car to drive in iRacing.
Verstappen’s reply was a bit out of the blue as he said, “The Mercedes F1 car. They’re shitboxes.” That was not even the question, as it was explicitly directed to iRacing. Hence, people may wonder why Max Verstappen uncharacteristically gave such a salty response. It might have to do something with the last Grand Prix in Australia. Yes, Max won, but the Mercedes drivers were leading most of the race. Russell and Hamilton both had moments when they overtook the Dutchman.
Everybody knows how competitive Max Verstappen is. Hence, it is understandable that it did not sit well with Max that his old barrier cum foe, Lewis Hamilton managed to beat him at a particular lap of the race. There was even a moment when the Dutchman complained that Hamilton was too far away from the safety car. However, the FIA rejected that complaint as they claimed the leader of the race is eligible to fall 10 and even more lengths back of the safety car. Perhaps that instinct to destroy every opponent made Max mad enough to give such a response.
Mercedes Is Far Behind Red Bull
Mercedes clearly cannot get their car ready to win races. Since last year the German team has been struggling with their poor car. There are so many problems with the car, starting with the zero-side pod concept. The W13 car had issues with porpoising, and the new W14 car does not have the balance right. Lewis Hamilton is unhappy with the car’s seat position and the rear downforce. The seven-time champion is not feeling too confident to go full throttle which is his strength.
In contrast, Max Verstappen is showing his ruthless attitude to destroy his opponents. Max is getting used to winning every race and cannot accept if he loses. When his teammate Sergio Perez won in Saudia Arabia, Verstappen, instead of being happy for his partner, was furious with himself for finishing second. The Dutchman came from the 15th position to finish at P2 in Jeddah. That is the contrasting images of two camps – Mercedes and Red Bull, and two racers – Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen.
