F1 champion Verstappen laughs off claims Mercedes lacks pace
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands speaks ahead of a press conference at the Formula One Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain, Friday, March 18, 2022. The Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix will take place here on Sunday. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands speaks ahead of a press conference at the Formula One Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain, Friday, March 18, 2022. The Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix will take place here on Sunday. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Mar. 18, 2022 06:53 AM EDT
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain speaks during a press conference at the Formula One Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain, Friday, March 18, 2022. The Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix will take place here on Sunday. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain speaks during a press conference at the Formula One Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain, Friday, March 18, 2022. The Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix will take place here on Sunday. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Mar. 18, 2022 07:17 AM EDT
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain steers his car during the first free practice at the Formula One Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain, Friday, March 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain steers his car during the first free practice at the Formula One Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain, Friday, March 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Mar. 18, 2022 09:33 AM EDT
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands steers his car during a practice for theFormula One Bahrain Grand Prix it in Sakhir, Bahrain, Friday, March 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands steers his car during a practice for theFormula One Bahrain Grand Prix it in Sakhir, Bahrain, Friday, March 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Mar. 18, 2022 08:32 AM EDT
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands speaks ahead of a press conference at the Formula One Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain, Friday, March 18, 2022. The Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix will take place here on Sunday. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands speaks ahead of a press conference at the Formula One Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain, Friday, March 18, 2022. The Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix will take place here on Sunday. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Mar. 18, 2022 07:04 AM EDT
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britainsteers his car during a practice for theFormula One Bahrain Grand Prix it in Sakhir, Bahrain, Friday, March 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britainsteers his car during a practice for theFormula One Bahrain Grand Prix it in Sakhir, Bahrain, Friday, March 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Mar. 18, 2022 08:33 AM EDT
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands steers his car during a practice for theFormula One Bahrain Grand Prix it in Sakhir, Bahrain, Friday, March 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands steers his car during a practice for theFormula One Bahrain Grand Prix it in Sakhir, Bahrain, Friday, March 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Mar. 18, 2022 08:55 AM EDT