Max Verstappen and Red Bull seem to be racing the F1 2023 season in easy mode as their competitors can’t apparently produce one strong factor that can beat the daring duo of Max Verstappen and his RB19. Although, a good number of races have gone by after the glorious triumph of both Red Bull and Max Verstappen’s third title, the Dutch driver is still cautious.
It is normal for drivers to lose their focus after achieving their goal and there have been examples of drivers, who quit F1 after winning the coveted title. Max Verstappen, on the other hand, will have none of it and thrives to get better every race.
Max Verstappen firm in F1 sprint critique
Max Verstappen has been a firm believer that the F1 sprints are nothing more than nuisances every weekend and he agrees that it should be scrapped. Max Verstappen’s words echo with the general consensus that Sprint weekends aren’t worth the trouble.
Introduced in 2021, the F1 Sprint is a new format where teams race over two days of the weekend having a shorter sprint race and sprint shootout on Sunday before the main event of Sunday. The sprint weekend gives drivers an extra chance to earn points over the special races, however FIA brought some changes in 2023 due to which the result of Sprint races doesn’t affect the final grid of Sunday’s race, unlike earlier format.
According to Max Verstappen, normal format is the best and it should be brought back.
“We should just get rid of the sprint weekend and then everyone can just set up their cars normally,” Verstappen told media per RacingNews365 while explaining the disqualification of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc after the US GP.
“It wouldn’t have happened that we would have had a normal race weekend. These things only happen when you have a sprint weekend where everything is so rushed into your in-between FP1 and qualifying.”
“From our side, I think we went a bit too conservative, but that’s still better than the other way.”
Verstappen warns Red Bull not to become complacent despite Mexico glory
Max Verstappen is known to be one of the most careful drivers in the motorsports scene as he doesn’t overlook any detail or opportunity and tries to make the best out of it every race. Max Verstappen had already declared that McLaren and Lando Norris may become a threat for Red Bull, and he is going to beware against them.
In a similar fashion, Max has advised Red Bull to produce any kind of complacency in the upcoming races and keep giving their all, striving to win the race.
“Looking ahead to Brazil, it’s the final race of a triple header and the last Sprint race of the season. Coming off of a good race in Mexico, we are confident going into this weekend but need to keep our focus. It’s crazy to have achieved 16 wins so far this season, after last year I didn’t think it would be possible to replicate that, so it just shows what an amazing season we’re having,” Verstappen explained ahead of the Brazilian GP.
“I am appreciative of all of the hard work and effort everyone in the Team is putting in, I’m glad we can show that on track. Now the focus is on the 17th win!”
Verstappen’s words echo a determination that proves he is still on the hunt and his opponents will face tough competition if they want to beat him to the win.
Do you think any other team will win this season or will Verstappen walk away with 18-19 wins remaining indomitable throughout the 2023 season as Lewis Hamilton predicted?
