The seasons may change in Formula 1, but Max Verstappen has suggested Lewis Hamilton is using familiar tactics in an attempt to steer pressure away from Mercedes.
Days out from the campaign's curtain-raiser in Bahrain on Sunday, the seven-time world champion said he didn't think Mercedes "will be competing for wins," at least not early on in 2022.
The Silver Arrows didn't cover themselves in glory during pre-season testing despite topping the lap charts with 384 total circuits, with Red Bull 's fastest time (1m 31.720s) more than a second quicker.
Verstappen, 24, was the man at the wheel for that lap and was the only driver to break the one minute and 32-second mark, while Hamilton touted Ferrari and McLaren as other potential contenders.
No amount of distraction could divert Verstappen's gaze from the threat posed by the Silver Arrows, however, alleging such comments are nothing new as he bids to defend his crown.
"It's always like this," the reigning world champion said in Bahrain on Saturday, per Autosport.
"If someone is doing well or a team that everyone expects to do well, then it’s: 'Oh no, we're definitely not the favourite.’
“And then a week later, when things do go well, all of a sudden it's: 'Oh no, but we turned it around completely within a week. Not normal, unbelievable work. Thanks to all people in the factory!’”
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Numerous F1 teams encountered issues with 'porpoising' during this pre-season period, a resurgent problem that's made a return due to the heightened influence of ground effect this year.
Much was also made of the side-pod innovation Mercedes unveiled on the first day of testing, although that unexpected change couldn't help them rise up the lap times list.
Verstappen highlighted Mercedes also had concerns building up to the season-opener around this time last year: “And they were still very strong during the first race weekend.”
Mercedes will be undergoing some adjustment this year after George Russell replaced Valtteri Bottas as Hamilton's driving partner, but the early signs appear promising.
Verstappen's criticisms mirrored those of Ferrari counterpart Carlos Sainz, who critiqued it as "Typical Mercedes, Typical George" when Russell attempted to play down his new team's title prospects.
Red Bull's poster child was quizzed on whom might present the biggest threat to his throne in the coming months, to which he replied that Ferrari had been “consistently fast.”
“That shows that they clearly have a stable car at the moment," added Verstappen.
“It just looks good for them, they have had very few problems as well. We will see next week who is fastest, but so far they have had a very good test.
“The last two years weren't great for them, so you automatically start looking at this season a bit earlier than some of the other teams. It's more than normal that they started earlier than us on the 2022 car and that's okay as well."
Ultimately, however, Formula 1's first Dutch world champion highlighted progress over the course of the campaign would be the key: “In the end, with these new cars, the development rate during the season is the most important thing.”
This will be Verstappen's first experience opening a season as titleholder, with a major target on his back from the entire field, and not just Mercedes' star duo.
Hamilton, 37, has two seasons remaining on his current contract and needs just one more world championship to pull clear of legend Michael Schumacher as the all-time leader in F1 title wins.
