close global

Welcome to GPFans

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY

  • NL
  • GB
  • IT
  • ES-MX
  • US
  • GB

Are you a F1 Fan? Follow GP Fans

Edition

NL GB IT ES-MX US
Hamilton flanked by the two Red Bull drivers

Mercedes versus Red Bull "fight is on" - Wolff

Hamilton flanked by the two Red Bull drivers — Photo: © LAT Images

Mercedes versus Red Bull "fight is on" - Wolff

Verstappen gave Red Bull its first season-opening pole position since 2013

Ian Parkes & Ewan Gale

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has declared "the fight is on" between his team and Red Bull after Max Verstappen secured pole position for the Bahrain Grand Prix.

The German manufacturer's worst fears from pre-season testing at the same venue were realised in qualifying as the Dutchman romped to the top spot by almost four-tenths of a second over Lewis Hamilton.

Despite the gulf between the two performances, Wolff was non-committal as to whether there had been a role reversal between the two teams over the winter.

"Every deficit is difficult to take and is it a reverse [of last year]? We don't know," said the Austrian.

"It is the first race of the season, Red Bull has a quicker car in qualifying in Bahrain than us. I am proud of how we have recovered from the test that was sub-optimal. The fight is on."

Red Bull's engine supplier Honda brought forward the introduction of a new power unit to the start of this year following its decision to pull out of the sport at the end of the campaign.

Wolff praised the Japanese manufacturer's work, saying it had done a "great job" and adding: "It has delivered a power unit that is extremely competitive.

"Look at where AlphaTauri is. We just have to take it as sportsmen. This is as it looks, we just have to say they have done a really good job, full stop. There is just no other solution than to recover."

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

Lewis Hamilton tests new Ferrari upgrades at Monza ahead of Miami Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton tests new Ferrari upgrades at Monza ahead of Miami Grand Prix

  • 59 minutes ago
Formula E boss admits Mr Beast crash 'was good' for the sport

Formula E boss admits Mr Beast crash 'was good' for the sport

  • 1 hour ago
F1 News Today: Christian Horner F1 return is on, Lewis Hamilton reflects on huge mistake

F1 News Today: Christian Horner F1 return is on, Lewis Hamilton reflects on huge mistake

  • 2 hours ago
Who knew: The 'Barilla guy' is a former F1 driver as well as a pasta billionaire

Who knew: The 'Barilla guy' is a former F1 driver as well as a pasta billionaire

  • 2 hours ago
Indian star takes part in shock F1 test

Indian star takes part in shock F1 test

  • 3 hours ago
Lewis Hamilton reveals crucial advice from his father that turned him into an F1 champion

Lewis Hamilton reveals crucial advice from his father that turned him into an F1 champion

  • Today 14:03

Just in

17:55
Lewis Hamilton tests new Ferrari upgrades at Monza ahead of Miami Grand Prix
16:57
Formula E boss admits Mr Beast crash 'was good' for the sport
16:20
F1 News Today: Christian Horner F1 return is on, Lewis Hamilton reflects on huge mistake
15:56
Who knew: The 'Barilla guy' is a former F1 driver as well as a pasta billionaire
15:00
Indian star takes part in shock F1 test
F1 news

Recommended by the editors

Lewis Hamilton tests new Ferrari upgrades at Monza ahead of Miami Grand Prix Latest F1 News

Lewis Hamilton tests new Ferrari upgrades at Monza ahead of Miami Grand Prix

59 minutes ago
F1 News Today: Christian Horner F1 return is on, Lewis Hamilton reflects on huge mistake F1 Today

F1 News Today: Christian Horner F1 return is on, Lewis Hamilton reflects on huge mistake

2 hours ago
Aston Martin working 'around the clock' as Honda issue update from Sakura Aston Martin

Aston Martin working 'around the clock' as Honda issue update from Sakura

Today 12:56
Ferrari set to give Lewis Hamilton F1 monster to beat Mercedes Ferrari

Ferrari set to give Lewis Hamilton F1 monster to beat Mercedes

Today 11:55
Ontdek het op Google Play
x