Max Verstappen fires back after Lewis Hamilton suggests drastic F1 rule change

Lewis Hamilton has urged Formula 1 to make a rule change in a bid to catch up to Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.

Hamilton and Mercedes have endured yet another tough season as they continue to struggle under F1’s new regulations.

On the other hand, Verstappen has won six out of eight races so far this season he continues to dominate the rest of the grid.

The other two races were won by Verstappen’s Red Bull teammate, Sergio Perez.

Speaking ahead of this weekend's Austrian Grand Prix, seven-time world champion Hamilton has suggested a huge rule change.

The Brit has urged the sport to select a set date to allow teams to work on the development of next season’s car.

Hamilton said: “Red Bull are already focusing on next year because they're so far ahead and don't need to change this year's car.

“So the FIA should set a time when everyone is allowed to start developing next year's car.”

He added: “Say August 1, so that no one can get an advantage, because that sucks.”

Hamilton was then questioned about Mercedes’ dominance over the last decade.

He replied: “We never started as early as them. It needs to change because what we have now is why you get dominance for so long, and they keep allowing it to happen.

“Ferrari were ahead and the same thing happened there, the same with Red Bull and Seb(Vettel) back in the day. They start earlier so they are always ahead.”

Lewis Hamilton believes the FIA should select a date from which teams are allowed to start on next season’s car development to prevent some getting a head start. 👀 pic.twitter.com/oGADZTLqw3

— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) June 29, 2023

However, Verstappen has hit back at the claims made by Hamilton.

The Dutchman argued: “We were not talking about this when he was winning his championships, right, so I don't think we should now.

“That is how Formula One works. When you have a competitive car it is great, but at some point you have to look ahead to the following year.”

Verstappen continued: “A lot of things in life are unfair. You just have to deal with it.”