Verstappen slaps down Hamilton's FIA request

Max Verstappen has responded to Lewis Hamilton's request that the FIA prevent Formula 1 teams from being able to start car development so early in the year.

Such has been Red Bull's dominance in 2023, the team has won all eight races and is set to retain both titles, with Verstappen currently 69 points ahead of teammate Sergio Perez as he closes in on a third straight Drivers' crown.

With the championships all but wrapped up, Red Bull can switch attention to its 2024 challenger even earlier than Mercedes or Aston Martin can as their battle for second place gets ever tighter.

Seven-time champion Hamilton called on the FIA to prevent teams from starting development until later in the calendar year, in a bid to stop such advantages being established.

Hamilton's Verstappen retort

"They're so far ahead, they don't have to make any changes to this car anymore as they're so far ahead," Hamilton told Sky Sports ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix.

"I think the FIA should probably put a time when everyone is allowed to start developing on next year's car, say August 1, that's where everybody can start so that no one can get an advantage on the next year, cause that sucks."

When those comments were presented to Verstappen, the Dutch driver had little sympathy.

"Life is unfair as well, it is not only in Formula 1," Verstappen told media including RacingNews365.

"A lot of things in life are unfair, so you just have to deal with it."