Formula One has rarely been as one-sided as the 2023 season, as Max Verstappen and Red Bull dominated the competition with a record campaign. However, Red Bull principal Christian Horner has admitted it’s unlikely they’ll achieve the same success again, giving their racing rivals a chance to catch up.
Verstappen had 19 wins from 22 races last season, as he scooped up his third World Championship title. Red Bull as a collective won 21 of the 22 races in the calendar as Sergio Perez twice finished ahead of his teammate to reach the chequered flag.
Verstappen’s season was statically the greatest of all-time, with a record 575 points to show for it. He wrapped up the title with several races to spare and was 290 points ahead of second-placed Perez.
Mercedes finished second in the Constructors Championship just ahead of Ferrari, with both teams desperate to close the wide gap between them and Red Bull next season. Although it’s unlikely fortunes will change next year, Horner did give them some confidence.
Don’t miss…
Red Bull make decision on signing Lewis Hamilton as Mercedes hit back at FIA[LATEST]
Lewis Hamilton saga rumbles on as F1 drivers ‘always break contract rules'[LATEST]
Max Verstappen tells F1 bosses how to act in response to his complaints[LATEST]
“It’s been a remarkable season for us,” Horner said at FIA’s prize-giving gala in Baku.. “None of us could have ever imagined this kind of season that we’ve just completed.
“To win 21 of the 22 races, five out of six sprint races. Defend both titles, and break many records along the way – some that have stood since 1988. I think it epitomises every aspect of the team that has been performing at a phenomenal level.”
Verstappen is the master behind the wheel, but Horner did also credit every department for maintaining the perfect car as the Dutchman managed to finish every race without mechanical issues. Verstappen joined Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton as the only drivers in F1 history to complete every lap of every race in a single season.
- Support fearless journalism
- Read The Daily Express online, advert free
- Get super-fast page loading
“It’s not just the design of the car, the operation of the car, it’s the production, it’s the support function, it’s every single department across the different challenges, circuits or conditions we’ve had over the course of the year,” he added.
“Reliability, Honda as well, gave us a great product for the year. It’s a combination of all those aspects that have come together that has been the most gratifying team performance. I doubt we will be able to achieve again, statistically what we’ve done this year.”
Aside from Ferrari and Mercedes, it’s actually McLaren’s Lando Norris that’s favourite to win the Drivers’ Championship in 2024 if Verstappen fails. Verstappen is the clear 2/7 favourite via Betway, but Norris is next priced at 13/2, with Lewis Hamilton third at 12/1.
Source: Read Full Article
