Titled drivers’ world champion on Saturday for the third time in a row, the Dutchman left only tiny crumbs to his opponents, buoyed by the strength of his team.
The end of the 2023 Formula 1 season is likely to be long, very long. Two weeks after the constructors’ title acquired by Red Bull, Max Verstappen won his third consecutive world drivers’ championship title on Saturday October 7 following his 2nd place in the sprint race on the Losail circuit in Qatar. And this while six Grands Prix are still on the program for the season, starting with that of Sunday.
The Dutchman took control of the championship like rarely. After 20 cumulative races, sprints and classics, “Mad Max” has already amassed 15. This is already almost as much as his total from last season (17) and already more than his first coronation (11), obtained through a hard struggle against Lewis Hamilton.
“Red Bull seems impervious to anything”
This domination is reminiscent of that of the Briton, six times on the roof of the world in seven seasons (from 2014 to 2020). However, during this period, Sir Lewis left more crumbs for the competition. “I am not comparing these two dominations because that of Mercedes was the result of one element: the engine which was exceptionalanalyzes our consultant Cyril Abiteboul. The strength of Red Bull is to be strong everywhere.”
Verstappen’s supremacy is indeed first and foremost that of his team. Of the four races “abandoned” to the rest of the pack, only the Singapore Grand Prix did not go to his teammate, Sergio Pérez. “Everyone had their ups and downs, their outbursts and their struggles. Another team, Red Bull, completely walked on water”continues the former director of the Renault team, from 2016 to 2021.
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Aston Martin started the season very strongly before declining just as strongly in July, Ferrari was very inconsistent and McLaren had a superb second half of the year. “It’s amazing because Red Bull seems impervious to everything, impervious to all variations, whether wind, temperature or ground effect. (which influences adhesion). This makes their dominance even more impressive.”praises Cyril Abiteboul.
Verstappen stronger than Mercedes
In all areas, from strategy to pit stops, the Austrian firm masters its subject. To explain it, our consultant remembers the beginning of the 2010 decade: “It’s a domination that doesn’t date from today, we must not forget the titles of Sebastian Vettel (4, from 2010 to 2013). These are people used to winning, the reflexes are there. They have this winning attitude that makes their mark.”
Proof of its outrageous domination, the team led by Christian Horner was able to afford the luxury of stopping the development of its car last July. Penalized by a reduction in its available wind tunnel time for exceeding the budget ceiling, this allowed it to concentrate, already, on the following season. “It’s a sign of foresight to be able to look forward to the next vintage when the aerodynamic concepts have been pushed to the limit”, believes Cyril Abiteboul. Despite this halt in development, the energy drink company maintained its grip on the discipline.
To top it all off, the best car is in the hands of the best driver of the moment. At 26 years old, the Batavian already has 48 victories, five points behind the third most victorious driver in history: Sebastian Vettel. He broke the record for consecutive victories (10) and, above all, scored more points on his own than Mercedes, second in the constructors’ standings. “It’s insolentrecognizes Cyril Abiteboul. He is so strong that he is capable of pushing and cracking a driver like Sergio Pérez, who has seen a lot.”
A Formula 1 devoid of interest?
Even when qualifying is missed, Jos Verstappen’s son manages fantastic comebacks: from 15th place on the grid to 2nd place in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, from 9th to 1st in Miami or even from 6th to winner in Belgium . “He manages to get back up and overtake in traffic without making mistakes, by being patientobserves the consultant of Franceinfo: sport. A lot of maturity emerges at Red Bull and at Max. I feel like he’s a lot calmer.”
Still, a year so devoid of suspense, at least for the leading role, could harm Formula 1. “For those who only care about who wins, it’s a boring season, but underneath it’s particularly interesting.defends Abiteboul. I think all fights are beautiful.”
Since the outcome is already known at the top, the interest of this end of the Formula 1 season lies in the places of honor among the drivers and manufacturers. Before the cards are reshuffled next year? “People would like me to say yes, but I don’t think so.”concludes Cyril Abiteboul.