Why Red Bull fear Lewis Hamilton, not Charles Leclerc as Max Verstappen’s main challenger in F1 2023

Red Bull chief Helmut Marko has admitted they “fear” Mercedes more than Ferrari for F1 2023.
The podium (L to R): Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1, second; Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing, race winner; Dr
The podium (L to R): Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1, second; Max Verstappen (NLD) Red…

Ferrari were Red Bull’s closest challengers in 2022, before falling off in the second half ofꦕ the season.

Red Bullꦅ won 10 of the remaining 11 races to dominate both championships.

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Ferrari failed to make the most of their superior car in the first half o꧅f the year as reliability and poor strategy choices hamp🍨ered their title challenge.

Mercedes struggled with outright performance but slowly turned it around, with 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:George Russell ending t🌄heir win 𒁏drought at the 2022 Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

Looking ahead to 2023, Marko explained why Red Bull💙 areജ more fearful of Mercedes.

“I would say that we should fear Mercedes more [in 2023],” said Marko. “Mainly because they have an advantage over Fℱerrari in terms of strategy and reliability.”

👍Red Bull enjoyed their most dominant year to date in terms of race wins 🧜and points scored.

Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing RB18. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 14, Belgian Grand Prix, Spa Francorchamps,
Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing RB18. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 14, Belgian Grand…

However, Marko dismisse𒈔d suggestions that it was similar to Mercedes’ dominant start to the start of the V6 hybrid era in 2014.

“Our s𓆏ituation is c𒀰ertainly not like that of Mercedes at the beginning of the hybrid era,” Marko added.

“We don’t have an immense lead with the engine righ🦋t now. So that is very difꦓferent. Mercedes had at least 50bhp margin over all the others back then.

“ౠAnd we shouldn’t forget: 2022 has been the first year under this new set of regulations.

“Other teams have obviously seen what we have d🐎one with this year’s car. So I think it will definitely be muc♓h closer next season.”

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