Max Verstappen rubbishes Mercedes allegations following Australian Grand Prix dominance

Max Verstappen

Verstappen rubbishes Mercedes allegations following Australian GP dominance

Max Verstappen has spoken out against George Russell's claims that Red Bull are sandbagging to avoid having their pace advantage targeted by regulation changes

Harry Smith

Tuesday 4 April 2023 11:15

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Max Verstappen has shut down claims from Mercedes that Red Bull is sandbagging, instead stating that pace management came into the equation at the Australian Grand Prix.

The Dutchman dominated proceedings in Melbourne over the weekend, converting pole into victory despite a troublesome start and three red flags.

George Russell, who endured a frustrating end to his Australian GP weekend, suggested that Red Bull has been hiding their true pace and sandbagging to avoid exposing the extent of their dominance.

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The extent of Verstappen's pace advantage compared to the two Mercedes drivers was clear to see in Melbourne as the Dutchman breezed past Lewis Hamilton on lap 12 before disappearing ten seconds up the road.

All three of the opening races have seen Red Bull perform some level of management, but Verstappen has now spoken out against suggestions that Red Bull is hesitant to reveal its true pace.

Verstappen battles with Russell at the Australian Grand Prix

Pace management in Melbourne

In an interview with the BBC's Chequered Flag podcast, Verstappen was asked about the sandbagging claims, responding: "There’s nothing really they can do.

“I mean, we just try to do the best we can with the development of the car, but it’s also about pace management.

"Because we didn’t really know, I think no one really knew, how long that hard tyre would last."

Explaining his caution with his Pirelli tyres on Sunday, Verstappen added: “It’s about just bringing it home because we had a bit of pace I think over the others.

"There’s no need to try and gain half a second a lap and destroy your tyres to the end because you never know, a Safety Car can happen, red flags like we had today.

"So yeah, it’s not necessary to risk all that.”