Max Verstappen designates the main rival of Red Bull this season
This season, Max Verstappen is aiming for a third consecutive title. For this, he hopes that Red Bull will allow him, like last year, to have a sufficiently high-performing car. However, as the Dutchman explains, it is possible that another team may join the championship battle.
Red Bull unveiled the new livery of the RB19 in New York, as well as the engine partnership with Ford, who will make their return to the premier category starting from the 2026 season. The driver of the Austrian team until 2028 and reigning world champion, Max Verstappen, then stated that he is not initially focused on pursuing a third title.
We work hard as a team to try to ensure that we have a chance to fight for this title again, but only time will tell, won’t it? I’m not even thinking about these things right now – because it’s more important to focus on having a competitive car, and if we have a competitive car, these things can happen.
« But it is more important to make sure that the car is functioning well, that it has no issues, and that it is fast at the end of the day. »
Verstappen added that it’s not just the fans who haven’t seen the true RB19, he himself will only discover it at the launch of pre-season testing in Bahrain, on February 23rd, 24th, and 25th.
« To be honest, I haven’t seen it,” he begins. « I only spoke about performance improvements in terms of lap times for the car – but I haven’t seen any photos or renders. I’m not interested in that kind of stuff; I only want a fast car, and its appearance doesn’t matter to me. »
Who can compete with Red Bull?
For 2023, the double world champion indicates that either Mercedes or Ferrari will be best suited to serve as the main rival. The former has elevated their level of performance throughout the season, culminating in a victory in the second-to-last race. Or the reds from Maranello, who, despite a season marred by team errors, have managed to design a car capable of being at the forefront.
« I think that even at the end of the year, it seemed that sometimes they [Mercedes] had it all figured out, and sometimes not. So, from my side, it’s hard to say because I’m not part of the team, but I suppose we will find out this year. If they fully understand everything they wanted to improve on the car, of course, they will be our main rival », said Verstappen about the Silver Arrows.
« But I think Ferrari will be strong – but to what extent is difficult to say. But Mercedes has definitely shown over the past few years that they were really, really, really strong, but they also have a good group of people. »
But I trust my colleagues in Milton Keynes to build a very strong car and engine. I hope we will have once again a solid package against them.
