Formula 1

Red Bull Dominance Looms as Mercedes Struggles in F1 2023 Season Opener

Published

4 weeks ago

01/03/2023

Red Bull Dominance Looms as Mercedes Struggles in F1 2023

As the Formula 1 2023 season approaches, all eyes are on Red Bull as they appear to have made significant advancements with their RB19 car. However, it remains uncertain if Aston Martin can genuinely compete with the likes of Ferrari and Mercedes.

Could Red Bull be stopped by anyone?

The RB19 appears to be leading the pack, with significant advancements over its previously dominant predecessor.

Consequently, Verstappen stands out as the clear frontrunner to win both this weekend’s race and this year’s championship.

If Verstappen manages to secure the championship title this year, it will mark his third consecutive win, equaling Sebastian Vettel’s accomplishment between 2010 and 2012.

What’s concerning for their opponents is that the drawbacks of the RB18 (the 2022 car) appear to have been addressed in the RB19, giving Red Bull an even stronger edge.

Red Bull has managed to decrease the weight of the car, enhance its cornering ability, and yet retain its exceptional top speed in the RB19, making it a formidable force on the track.

Furthermore, Red Bull has stated that the RB19 has been constructed to complement the driving styles of both of their drivers.

Given the impressive performance and advancements of the RB19, it would seem that Red Bull has a significant advantage, making the race theirs to lose.

In addition to Red Bull, Aston Martin emerged as one of the most notable success stories from the pre-season testing.

Fernando Alonso skillfully maneuvered the AMR23, delivering consistent speed and impressive race simulations.

Following the testing, Alonso disclosed that their performance during the third day’s race stint was “slightly faster” than Ferrari’s.

Although it remains uncertain if Aston Martin can genuinely compete with Ferrari or Mercedes for a podium finish this weekend, it is evident that the Silverstone-based team has made remarkable strides since the start of last year.

It’s worth noting that Aston Martin was at the bottom of the constructors’ championship standings after the first three races last year.

It is yet to be determined if Aston Martin or Alpine can break away from the tightly packed midfield group, but from the sixth position onwards, it appears to be incredibly challenging to predict the outcome.

Alfa Romeo and Haas had a promising pre-season, potentially benefiting from Ferrari’s engine upgrades during the offseason.

AlphaTauri demonstrated decent pace towards the conclusion of the testing, aiming to improve on their underwhelming P9 finish in the constructors’ championship, whereas Williams had their most impressive pre-season since 2017.

McLaren may approach the opening round with apprehension after CEO Zak Brown conceded that they did not meet their “development objectives” with their 2023 car.

Considering McLaren’s struggles, it would not be unexpected to witness both of their cars eliminated in Q1, but it’s worth noting that Lando Norris often produces a remarkable lap when it counts.

F1 is introducing several rookies to the grid for the 2023 season.

Oscar Piastri is set to make his F1 debut with McLaren, and many consider him to be the most promising prospect to join the sport since Lando Norris and George Russell made their debuts in 2019.

Logan Sargeant is set to become the first full-time American driver since 2006 when he makes his debut for Williams, while Nyck de Vries, who has competed in only one Grand Prix, will race for AlphaTauri.

It remains to be seen if Mercedes will face another dry season in terms of success.

Similar to the past two years, Mercedes enters the first race of the season at a disadvantage.

Although the problems do not seem as severe as last year, with the elimination of porpoising, Mercedes does not appear to have made any significant advancements towards challenging Red Bull for the championship this year.

Mercedes encountered challenges with rear-end stability and traction throughout the three days of pre-season testing in Bahrain, which is an area where the RB19 outperformed them.

This is not an unfamiliar scenario for Mercedes, as they have a history of delivering unspectacular pre-season testing performances.

In 2019, Ferrari was believed to be the frontrunner at the start of the year, but Mercedes went on to win the first eight races.

In 2021, following the adjustments to the floor regulations during the offseason, Mercedes struggled to keep up with the pace, allowing Max Verstappen and Red Bull to take the lead.

Although the current problems that Mercedes is experiencing may not be as critical as last year, they still do not appear to be in a position to compete with Red Bull or even Ferrari at this point.

Red Bull Dominance Looms as Mercedes Struggles in F1 2023 Season Opener Red Bull Dominance Looms as Mercedes Struggles in F1 2023 Season Opener Red Bull Dominance Looms as Mercedes Struggles in F1 2023 Season Opener Red Bull Dominance Looms as Mercedes Struggles in F1 2023 Season Opener