Verstappen levels dig at "ugly" Mercedes

F1 champion Max Verstappen has levelled a dig at Mercedes' "ugly" revised version of its W13 and labelled it a "different way of working".

The Silver Arrows arrived at the second pre-season test in Bahrain with a heavily upgraded car that sported a sleek, 'zeropod' design that immediately turned heads.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner was reported to have suggested the design was illegal, only to then state his "surprise" at reading the supposed comments.

Verstappen initially downplayed the significance of Mercedes' innovation when asked whether he was concerned by the design.

Pushed on his thoughts of the radical look, the Dutchman abruptly replied: "Ugly isn't it?" with a wry smile.

"It is a different way of working with the car," continued Verstappen. "It only came out today for the others to see."

Asked if design guru Adrian Newey had mentioned why he had chosen Red Bull's philosophy, Verstappen said: "I [haven't] asked any questions so far.

"Otherwise, we will just have to brake a bit later to catch up the time."

Perez overcomes Bahrain 'rough stuff' to clock up the laps

Team-mate Sergio Perez spent the day in the car, clocking up the laps with a day-high 138, albeit ending it with an innocuous trundle into the gravel at the end to bring out the red flags with seven minutes remaining.

Perez, though, was happy enough with what he felt was "a very productive day".

He added: "It was good to get a read on the car on a different track with higher temperatures.

"It’s obviously very different here compared to Barcelona. Bahrain is one of the roughest circuits on the calendar so you are naturally more rear-biased.

"In general, we had a good pace and we have plenty of information to go through, there is so much to learn at the moment."

Reflecting on his minor off, Perez added: "Towards the end of the day, after the [virtual] safety car I had cold tyres and just lost it.

"Unfortunately, I went into the gravel. It ended the session early so hopefully everyone can have a nice rest now.”

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