“I don‘t think so, Ferrari also looks strong,” Max Verstappen discards Lewis Hamilton as the sole challenger in 2022

Max Verstappen, along with his team Red Bull, is at the second round of three-day pre-season testing in Bahrain. And although the driver didn’t get a chance to drive on the first day, he surely is looking forward to the second day seeing his enthusiasm to see Sergio Perez running the new RB18. And in his interviews on the first day, the driver looked bullish on Ferrari.

On the first day’s interviews, the driver was vocal of the competition on the grid and critical of the rivals Mercedes. Early in the day, the driver showed no effect to Mercedes’ no sidepod version of the W13.

In the first testing, which was held in Barcelona, Max Verstappen seemed to have held back on his and car’s performance. Although the Red Bull drivers weren’t on top of the timesheet in Barcelona, they sure were content and satisfied with the car, which was confirmed by both- Christian Horner and Helmut Marko.

Max Verstappen doesn’t see Mercedes as the only rival

On being asked if the seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton would be the only competitor to beat in 2022, Max Verstappen, owing to Ferrari’s top-notch performance and presentation in Barcelona, said, “I don‘t think so, Ferrari also looks strong this year, at least now in the tests. It is difficult to judge the others. Some teams still get some upgrades before the first race.”

As Max talked about some upgrades, we saw an altogether powerful and a more readied version of Alfa Romeo’s car. So, it would be fair to say we can be seeing a lot more development by the next weekend when the first race of the year is scheduled.

When asked if this year we can see a three-way fight between Mercedes, Red Bull, and Ferrari, Max Verstappen showed optimism regarding the RB18 and the others as well. He said, “It‘s difficult to say. So far Ferrari looks strong. Mercedes will always be there. For us, it looks positive.”

It’s fair to assume the competition would be fierce this season if the Ferrari and the McLaren continue to put on the performances that we’ve seen so far from them and their drivers in both the rounds of pre-season testing. A week from now we will be looking at the potential contenders for the title this season. And as they, the more, the merrier.

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