© LAT Images for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd
Lewis Hamilton says Max Verstappen “was a rocket” at the start of the Dutch Grand Prix, and he adds Red Bull’s engine is “massively better this year on all aspects”.
At the start of the Dutch Grand Prix Max Verstappen pulled away from Lewis and the rest of the field very quickly. When asked about it at the post-race press conference Lewis said it was obvious that Red Bull has improved its engine since 2020.
“[Verstappen] was a rocket off the start,” the Briton said.
“He was gone. Literally nothing we could do to answer that. They’ve made a big, big step forward this year with their engine.
“You saw it last year, they weren’t the greatest with starts and I think they obviously have improved their power, just the whole power unit’s massively better this year on all aspects for them.
“And naturally their driveability and their starts… they’re the quickest starters this year overall. So, we’ve got some work to do in lots of different areas – but yeah, on to the next one.”
Lewis was also asked how concerned he was about his championship chances, considering Red Bull’s pace.
“I’ve given it everything. We’ve given absolutely everything, I think,” Lewis explained.
“Even since the first race, these guys have just had such a strong car all year and we’re trying as hard as we can, but yeah, we had a couple of races where it looked like we just about had…
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“We were on par with them or just slightly ahead but there’s only been, as you said, only a couple of those and then it took a big leap and it’s been difficult.
“And I guess, it’s so close that you can’t really overtake in a lot of these places that we’ve been to previously because we are so closely matched.
“But there’s nothing really more I can say, we just have to keep our heads down and keep working, keep pushing.
“We are ahead in the team championship, which is great, but of course we need to pick up some speed, that’s what we want, to be able to win races in future.”
And what are Lewis’ thoughts on Mercedes’ chances next week at the Italian Grand Prix?
“I really don’t know how it’s going to go. As I said, I think they’ve definitely improved their car with some sort of upgrade in the last race which we didn’t obviously get to see the true pace of it.
“But we will be on lower downforce, and maybe we can be closer there, maybe. But… yeah, it’s going to be tough,” concluded Hamilton.
