Max Verstappen bluntly told Lewis Hamilton "life is unfair" in response to the Brit's call for the FIA to step in to slow down Red Bull.
The defending champions are a long way clear of their rivals after just eight races this season. Their dominance has been such that they are already focussing on their 2024 car development behind the scenes.
Christian Horner confirmed as much after victory last time out in Canada. But Hamilton says it is unfair that teams are allowed to do that.
Speaking ahead of this weekend's Austrian Grand Prix, the seven-time world champion called for Formula 1's governing body to step in. He suggested Formula 1 teams have dominant periods over several years because they are able to switch focus so early in a season and suggested the FIA needs to step in to curb Red Bull's advantage.
Asked about the Mercedes racer's comments, Red Bull star Verstappen clearly did not want to spend too much time discussing the subject. "Life is unfair as well," he simply retorted, before adding: "It's not only in F1. A lot of things in life are unfair so we just have to deal with it."
Mercedes have been making progress on their car and have been more competitive in their last two outings. Hamilton was giving his verdict on his own team's development on Thursday when he made the lengthy point about Red Bull's long-term advantage.
"Ultimately, it's likely that bit by bit, by the end of the year, we'll catch Red Bull, but that's only because they're already focusing on next year's car because they're so far ahead," he said.
"They don't have to make any changes to this year's car any more because they're so far ahead, just cruising 100 points ahead of us. I think the FIA should put a time on when everyone is allowed to start development on their next car.
"So, [for example] August 1st, that's when everyone can start, so no-one can get an advantage for next year, because that sucks. Do you not think that would make more sense?
"It needs to change because that's why you have dominance for so long. They keep allowing it to happen. When Ferrari were ahead the same thing happened there – when Red Bull were ahead with Seb [Vettel] back in the day they could start earlier, they were always ahead."
Speaking about Red Bull's plans, team principal Horner said their penalty for breaching F1 cost cap rules has played a part in the decision to switch focus to their 2024 machine. "Obviously, because we have a lot less wind tunnel time, we have to start thinking a lot about next year," he said.
"We're spinning a couple of plates at the moment but, with the regulations being stable, whatever we learn this year we carry into next year as well. Of course, there are things that we'll keep bringing to this year's car, but a lot of the focus now back in the factory is already on next year."
