Carlos Sainz and reigning Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen are shrugging off Mercedes' claims about a lack of performance from the W13.
As pre-season testing came to an end last weekend, Lewis Hamilton insisted the eight-time consecutive Constructors' champions would not be "competing for wins" in the early part of the 2022 season.
Teammate George Russell then backed that up insisting Ferrari and Red Bull are a "step ahead" as Mercedes struggles with porpoising, a new phenomenon for teams this year caused by the introduction of ground effect cars.
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However, Sainz was quick to laugh off suggestions Mercedes won't be a threat in Bahrain this weekend.
“I think it’s typical Mercedes, typical George,” he said. “Just hype up the others and then come to the first race and blow the competition away, which is typical.
“If it had would be the first year they’ve done it then I would maybe believe them, but they’ve done it for five or six years now and they keep [performing] in the first race.
“So, as you can imagine I don’t think much [of the comments] and yes, already in GPS [data] we can also see what they are doing and yes, I’m not going to say much… yes, I’m not going to say much.”
Verstappen agreed, mimicking Hamilton's often said celebration speech.
"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’,” commented the Dutchman.
“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!’”
The Red Bull driver then used the instance of 12 months ago to back up his point, when Mercedes miraculously recovered from a tough pre-season test to win the Bahrain Grand Prix.
Gasly ⚔️ Hamilton#F1Testing #F1
— Señor Pirelli (@SrPirelli_) March 12, 2022
pic.twitter.com/91voYk4lsk
However, AlphaTauri's Pierre Gasly isn't so sure the team is bluffing after having duelled with Hamilton for several laps on the track during the last day of testing.
“I was kind of surprised to battle with Lewis,” he said. “I think the conclusion is Mercedes probably doesn’t look as good as they were in the past.”
