F1 News Highlights

Max Verstappen.

In 2023, the Formula One constructors’ world championship, typically a collective endeavor, saw an exceptional display of dominance by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.

His commanding victory in Japan from pole position not only secured the team title but did so with a remarkable six races remaining. This triumph at Suzuka, coinciding with Honda’s 75th anniversary at their home track, was a fitting tribute.

Red Bull’s preparedness was evident as they had their championship T-shirts ready to don immediately after the checkered flag. This moment marked a golden era for Red Bull, soaring to unprecedented heights and clinching their sixth constructor’s title, a feat that seemed improbable for their rivals.

Verstappen’s 2023 season was nothing short of record-breaking, with his 13th win and an incredible 10 consecutive victories until a minor setback in Singapore. Red Bull’s dominance extended to 15 wins in 16 races, and Verstappen himself notched his 28th victory out of 38 since the previous season’s start. In the past year, Red Bull had only been outclassed twice.

Max Verstappen’s individual contribution was immense, adding 400 points to Red Bull’s total of 623 for the season, surpassing even the combined score of the second-placed Mercedes drivers and the cumulative scores of the lower-ranking six teams.

Christian Horner, the team boss, couldn’t help but express his amazement at their extraordinary season. He credited the tireless efforts of countless individuals across various departments for this remarkable achievement. “Without them, we wouldn’t be able to produce a car like we’ve done, and then, obviously, Max has just taken that and destroyed the rest of the field with it,” he remarked.

With Red Bull set to secure another title double this year, only Sergio Perez remained in contention, albeit now trailing by 177 points after a non-finish in Japan. The Verstappen-Perez duo had secured first and second places in six races during the season.

Horner reflected on the journey Red Bull had undertaken, from their beginnings in 2005 to their present success. Looking forward, the team was gearing up for a new engine era, collaborating with Ford to produce their powertrain starting in 2026.

Success, Horner believed, only fueled the team’s motivation to excel, particularly with a driver of Max Verstappen’s caliber, ensuring that no one wanted to let the team down.

Meanwhile, an exhausted Lewis Hamilton struggled to a fifth-place finish in the Japanese Grand Prix, acknowledging that Mercedes faced a substantial development challenge in the coming months. The seven-time world champion, now 38, emphasized the need for major improvements in the next season, as he fought hard for the team to secure a second-place finish overall.

Hamilton expressed his frustration with the car’s handling, noting its similarities to the previous year. He stressed the importance of addressing the issues and the need for significant development over the next six months to close the performance gap.

With McLaren’s strong showing, including Oscar Piastri’s first Formula One podium, Hamilton acknowledged that Mercedes needed to study their competitors’ success and adapt their approach accordingly. Despite the challenges, he maintained his belief in the team’s capabilities and their potential to regain their competitive edge.

In the world of Formula One, Max Verstappen’s exceptional performance continued to dominate the headlines, with even newcomers like Oscar Piastri finding themselves in the “Max Verstappen podcast.”