Former F1 driver Mark Webber believes Red Bull Racing will still be the ‘most dangerous team’ in F1 in 2023 despite penalties for breaching the cost cap.
Last year, Red Bull Racing won the double title for the first time since 2013 with more than a month to spare. Max Verstappen won his second driver’s title with 15 wins, while Sergio Perez scored two wins to score the most points of the season and help Red Bull to the Constructors’ title.
Ferrari were seriously challenged early in the season, but Red Bull dominated in the second half, eventually winning 10 out of 11 races.
Meanwhile, the only black star in Red Bull was Mercedes F1 in the Brazilian F1 GP. Many, including Max Verstappen, expected a tough title fight with Mercedes F1.
However, former F1 driver Webber believes Red Bull Racing are still the toughest team this year and considers the comment “very polite of Max”.
“Red Bull is still the most dangerous team,” said Max Webber, who raced for Red Bull between 2007 and 2013, to Autosport.
“In reality, everyone has to improve their game in every way. Mercedes was reliable and Ferrari of course not. But Red Bull was reliable and strong in every circuit.”
“And Max is just like ‘F1 Plus’. The highlight for me was when I saw him drive at Spa. It was amazing.”
Red Bull Racing will enter 2023 at the disadvantage of reduced aerodynamic test allowance as a penalty for breaching the $145 million budget cap for 2021.
The team confirms that the sanction, which allows aero to run 10% until October, will have a major impact on car development.
“Who knows how much that will affect them, but I’m sure they have enough creative people out there to keep it going,” said Mark Webber.
“But we don’t know how much Mercedes gave up this year. In a way, giving up is not the right word because there is always some learning to do for next year.”
“It’s about how we divide the time, research and development and budget caps between last year’s car and 2023.”
“It will be fascinating to see how the first quarter of next season plays out thanks to these factors.”
Red Bull Racing will unveil the new RB19 in New York on February 3rd and go to pre-season testing in Bahrain on February 23rd-25th.
Category: F1 / Mark Webber / red bull
