Will Red Bull regain their dominance in 2023 as their development handicap sets in?

There can only be one champion, regardless of how many races you win, pole positions you claim, or points you gain. All of the others fall short.

Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez celebrate after the French GP. (Image: Twitter/@F1)
By Mahaksh Chauhan | Feb 3, 2023 | 3 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

Red Bull is well aware of this. Their ascent back to the top after being ousted from F1’s Mount Olympus with the introduction of the V6 turbo hybrids was both humbling and frustrating. But over the past two seasons, that decade of unhappiness came to an end, and Red Bull enters the new year as without a doubt and without a doubt the top team in their sport. Red Bull knew they were exposed coming into Max Verstappen’s debut year driving a car with the coveted number one on it because they had just emerged from their horrific year-long war against Mercedes in 2021 scarred, bloodied, but won. Ferrari, however, stood up to Red Bull when Mercedes faltered. Verstappen, though, was able to coast to a second championship while Red Bull added the constructors’ trophy thanks to Ferrari’s collapse as the season went on, shattering records and competitors’ hearts in the process. Red Bull believes they are now firmly back where they belong after years of simmering in irritation as they watched Mercedes easily win every championship while they could do little more than watch on. And team owner Christian Horner has every reason to think they have benefitted greatly from their years of mediocrity.

Strongest Red Bull ever

At the conclusion of the previous season, Horner boldly asserted to the media, “This is the strongest Red Bull has ever been.” “I believe that our technological, operational, and overall business strength and depth come from everyone going the additional mile, which is what it takes to succeed against elite competition, as we have. After eight years in the woods, everyone successfully maintained their momentum, focus, and dedication without ever losing sight of their goal. And we seized opportunities when they presented themselves.

King Verstappen

Max Verstappen, the team’s two-time world champion, is in the driver’s seat as usual. He has realised all the enormous potential he displayed from the moment he stepped outside a Formula 1 garage for the first time after making a paradigm-shifting debut as a 17-year-old prodigy that caused the FIA to change its own rules to prevent anyone from duplicating him. An almost unstoppable force on the track, he has crushed the aspirations of anybody desiring to challenge for his championship title. He was once a raw-but-rash prospect, just as capable of getting into arguments with his fellow drivers as he was to dazzle them with his vast natural talent. not least of all those of Sergio Perez, his teammate.

Verstappen enjoys the benefit of being the most threatening driver to see in the rearview mirror of his competitors, while Lewis Hamilton has cemented himself into the discussion for greatest driver in history due to his accomplishments. No one has ever started a new Formula 1 season defending their championship after experiencing victory 15 times the year before, and considering that Verstappen will likely have the better of teammate Perez for the majority of 2022, any argument that Verstappen is not the overwhelming favourite to win his third consecutive championship now seems foolish.

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Competition for 2023

It seems sense that Red Bull would announce a new partnership with one of the most renowned automakers as they prepare to unveil their new livery in the world’s most famous city tomorrow. Few specifics regarding the type of partnership Red Bull and Ford may be going to announce have been made public, but all indications point to the US giant’s desire to one day compete at the highest level of motorsport with its best team. Whatever they may disclose, it will more likely affect Red Bull’s long-term prospects than their 2023 season. This season, Red Bull will probably face much stiffer competition at the top of the field due to the potential return of Mercedes and Ferrari under new management. Red Bull, though, won’t relinquish their title as F1’s champions without a fight after working so hard to retake the lead.