Max Verstappen hits back at Toto Wolff’s striking Red Bull comment

Max Verstappen has denied that Red Bull is the heavy favourite heading into the first round of the F1 season.

Following the opening day of testing, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff commented that Red Bull's power unit was over one second per lap faster than the competition.

Verstappen enjoyed a strong day behind the wheel on Wednesday, setting the second fastest lap and tallying 136 tours of the circuit during the day.

Wolff insisted Red Bull is the grid's benchmark heading into the new season - but Verstappen asserted it is too early to make such a ruling.

“Let's look back at the last 10 years of winter testing,” Verstappen told media including RacingNews365. 

“I don't think you can say with the world champion on day one, especially with a new ruleset like this.

“For me, personally, it's more like just like diversion tactics, but that's okay. 

“I focus on what we're doing here with the team, because honestly, for us, there's still so much to learn. 

“These new rules are so complex that we just want to do our laps and go from there.”

Mercedes has been at the centre of attention in the build-up to the new year due to a compression ratio trick that other teams are eager for the FIA to take action on. 

Wolff insisted that it is only worth two or three extra horsepower - a claim that Verstappen has rejected.

"Definitely put a zero behind it and more,” he said. “Of course I understand what they're trying to do. 

“They're obviously trying to shift it to us because we drove so many laps yesterday. You have to see it from both sides. Just wait and see in Melbourne how hard they will go on the straight.

“Everyone can say what they want. I've gotten to the point where I don't care that much, and especially if the car there is not fun to drive. Then I'm busy with other things."