Verstappen to Hamilton: A lot of things in life are unfair, deal with it

Almost unchallenged in recent races, Verstappen has won six of eight races so far this season and is already 69 points clear of closest rival and teammate Sergio Perez ahead of this weekend's Austrian Grand Prix at Spielberg's Red Bull Ring.

Red Bull are unbeaten this year and chasing a 10th successive victory after winning 18 of the last 19. They are 154 points clear of second-placed Mercedes.

Hamilton, whose own team won eight successive F1 constructors' titles from 2014-21, was concerned Red Bull's advantage was now so great that they could already stop developing the current car to concentrate on 2024.

"I think ultimately it's likely that ... at the end of the year we will probably catch Red Bull, but that's probably because they are already focusing on next year's car," Hamilton told Sky Sports television.

"They don't have to make any changes to this car any more as they're so far ahead. I think the IA should probably put a time when everyone is allowed to start developing 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 because that sucks," lamented Hamilton.

When Mercedes' past domination was pointed out, Hamilton said his team had never switched their attention to the next year so early: "It needs to change because that's why you have dominance for so long and they keep allowing it to happen."

Asked in the official FIA press conference in Spielberg about Hamilton's comments, Verstappen rubbed salt in the wounds: "Life is unfair as well. It’s not only F1. A lot of things in life are unfair so we just have to deal with it."