Verstappen: Mercedes shouldn't be punished for dominance

Max Verstappen says it would be unfair if rules were introduced to curb Mercedes' power advantage in Formula 1. The Silver Arrows' dominance of the hybrid era has landed them four straight titles in the constructors' and drivers' standings, with former champions Red Bull one of many teams left behind.

Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo have not enjoyed the same success as Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber did before them at Red Bull, with Renault's power units down on power and reliability compared to Mercedes'.

Ricciardo has five race wins in four seasons to his name, while Verstappen has taken three victories since joining the senior Red Bull team midway through the 2016 campaign.

The Milton Keynes squad appear to be closer in the fight with Mercedes and Ferrari this season, although they could only manage fourth and sixth in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner and motorsport advisor Dr Helmut Marko have both called for engine regulations to be introduced to level the playing field, but Verstappen thinks a different way.

"It's quite clear in qualifying they ramp it up, but it has been like this already for the whole era of V6s. It's not a new story," Verstappen said.

"They just do a better job than everyone else so why should you take it away? It's not fair to them, but it's maybe up to F1 to may be change the rules to make it more difficult to keep developing things and stuff like that.

"You certainly shouldn't take it away because they are really, really good. It's unfair to them."

Horner and Marko's frustrations are echoed by Verstappen, but he warned against bringing all engines on the grid into line with each other.

When his team's objections were raised, Verstappen said: "Well, [it's the] same for me.

"But you have to also be honest and you have to be just clear about it they're just doing a better job than everyone else.

"Otherwise, I think we should just use the same engines. But that's not what everybody wants."