Photo Credit: Red Bull Content Pool
Max Verstappen believes that there is an opportunity for Red Bull to win every race in 2023, although concedes that it is ‘very unlikely’ to happen.
The Dutchman has started the season off in fine fashion, and currently holds a 39 point lead of teammate Sergio Perez in the drivers’ championship.
His team’s dominance has sparked questions in the media regarding whether they can win every race this season.
Speaking on Thursday’s media day for the Spanish Grand Prix, Verstappen said: “How it looks like at the moment, I think we can [win every race].
“But that’s very unlikely to happen. There are always things that go wrong, or you have retirements or whatever.
“Purely on pace, I think at the moment it looks like that. But we will always get to tracks where it doesn’t work out exactly or whatever, bad luck in qualifying, you make your own mistakes,” he added.
The Spanish Grand Prix presents the rest of the grid with a fantastic opportunity to bring significant upgrades, and close the gap to the reigning champions.
Photo Credit: Red Bull Content Pool
There’s been no shortage of calls from fans to take measures in order to stunt Red Bull’s performance, but Verstappen believes that continuity is the best way for the pack to close up.
“I think the longer you leave the regulations the same, the closer people will get. So maybe this is something that we need to look at,” he said.
“You have the odd year or two years where there are two teams fighting, maybe potentially a third team.
“But overall, when you look back at the 80s, 90s, the 2000s, the early 2010s and all the way until 2020, it’s been pure dominance of a certain team,” he concluded.
Last week signalled a drastic change for Mercedes, as they changed sidepod philosophy to imitate a design pioneered by Red Bull.
Photo Credit: Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team
George Russell hopes that his team will be able to challenge the Milton Keynes-based outfit before the end of the season.
“On pure pace, for sure they have the potential but certain things can happen,” Russell said.
“I’d like to think that we can fight at some point, and take advantage of some misfortune down the order. But it’s challenging.
“I agree with Max – there has always been dominance in F1. I don’t know how we get to a place where you can have multiple drivers and teams fighting for the championship.”
Mercedes confirmed that they would be bringing further updates to their car this weekend, as they attempt to close the gap to their competitors.
“We certainly will settle back and and look at what the Monaco upgrade package has brought us at a more normal track,” said James Allison, Technical Director of the team in their Monaco Grand Prix debrief video.
“But we will also push on in parallel with a whole bunch more things. So there will be a little bit we’re bringing to Barcelona and many more things in the races that follow.”
Our next chance to see if anyone can take the fight to the charging bulls comes this weekend, with FP1 for the Spanish Grand Prix starting at 12.30pm BST.
