Verstappen Challenges Lewis Hamilton For Private F1 Test, Mercedes Respond

Qualifying on Saturday at Portimao was electric and intense, to say the least. Lewis Hamilton beat Valtteri Bottas and Max Verstappen to clinch pole position, ahead of what could be his 92nd record-breaking career race win.

But, very briefly in Q3, Max Verstappen had split the two Mercedes drivers in qualifying. He showed that Red Bull can indeed come to the party, and tried to prevent a front row lockout for the defending champions.

However, Max Verstappen believes that there is one way to find out if the gap in qualifying pace has reduced between the two teams. And that would involve Hamilton and Max swapping cars!

Max Verstappen proposes to swap cars with Lewis Hamilton

Now that would certainly be interesting. Hamilton in a Red Bull car, and Verstappen in a Mercedes car. Only to determine after all whether or not there is a difference in timings during qualifying.

Speaking in the post-qualifying press conference, Verstappen is quoted as saying, “I guess we’ll only find out if we swap cars once, both drivers, and then we can compare but I don’t know.”

“I don’t think a lot has changed to be honest before the rule change and now. So no, that’s just a bit of a guess but I think you can clearly see that it hasn’t brought us a lot closer or further away.”

Mercedes responded to Max in their typical style

Sitting right next to Max, was the pole sitter Lewis Hamilton. He then asked what comparison was needed, for the reason they needed to swap their F1 cars for.

Max responded to him by saying, “Of the difference between the cars if they actually have become faster in the race compared to qualifying. I don’t know. Maybe we can do like a private test day or something!”

The amusement did not stop there, as Mercedes commented on those remarks from Verstappen. And in their usual banter mood, asked if the Dutch driver was interested in trying out a Mercedes.

Mercedes’ comment read, “Max, just give us a call if you want to test a Mercedes”. Rest assured, quite a few people will be longing for the swap to happen between these two drivers!