Red Bull was cautious not to take any unnecessary risks during the F1 race at Spa-Francorchamps, where Max Verstappen dominated the competition. He outperformed his teammate Sergio Perez by 22 seconds and left Charles Leclerc from Ferrari trailing by 33 seconds. Despite Verstappen joking with his race engineer about making an extra pitstop for the fastest lap, team principal Horner quickly dismissed the idea, not wanting to jeopardize their impressive 1-2 finish and the sprint race victory from the previous day.
When asked about concerns regarding Verstappen’s casual radio messages, Horner assured that there were none. The team opted not to take the extra pitstop to avoid any risks and maintain their strong position. Red Bull’s decision was also influenced by concerns about tire degradation, as Verstappen had pushed the soft tires hard at the beginning of his stint.
Starting from sixth due to a grid penalty, Verstappen showcased a remarkable performance, overtaking his rivals and securing his eighth consecutive win of the 2023 season. Horner praised his driving skills and speed, particularly during the middle stint on medium tires, which allowed him to establish a comfortable lead. Verstappen’s dominance put him one win shy of Sebastian Vettel’s all-time record.
Although Verstappen’s teammate Perez couldn’t match his pace on the medium tires, Horner remained positive and acknowledged the need to analyze why Perez struggled comparatively on that tire compound. In conclusion, Red Bull’s cautious approach paid off as they sealed another impressive victory, avoiding any potential embarrassment and securing crucial championship points.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Dominance
Q: How did Max Verstappen perform in the F1 race at Spa-Francorchamps?
A: Max Verstappen showcased remarkable dominance, beating his teammate Sergio Perez by 22 seconds and leaving Charles Leclerc from Ferrari trailing by 33 seconds.
Q: Why didn’t Red Bull take an extra pitstop for the fastest lap?
A: Red Bull’s team principal, Horner, quickly dismissed the idea to avoid unnecessary risks and maintain their 1-2 finish and the previous day’s sprint race victory.
Q: Were there any concerns about Verstappen’s casual radio messages during the race?
A: Team principal Horner mentioned that there were no concerns regarding Verstappen’s comments, indicating confidence in their strategy.
Q: What influenced Red Bull’s cautious approach during the race?
A: Concerns about tire degradation, particularly after Verstappen stressed the soft tires at the start of his stint, influenced their cautious approach.
Q: How did Verstappen manage to secure his eighth consecutive win in the 2023 season?
A: Despite starting from sixth due to a grid penalty, Verstappen showcased impressive driving skills, overtaking rivals, and securing a comfortable lead during the middle stint on medium tires.
Q: What did Horner say about Verstappen’s driving performance?
A: Horner praised Verstappen’s incredible race and speed, especially on the medium tires, which put him one win shy of Sebastian Vettel’s all-time record.
Q: How did Verstappen’s teammate, Sergio Perez, perform during the race?
A: While Perez couldn’t match Verstappen’s pace on the medium tires, Horner acknowledged the need to analyze why he struggled comparatively on that tire compound.
More about Dominance
- Red Bull Racing Official Website: Official website of Red Bull Racing, providing team news, race updates, and driver information.
- Formula 1 Official Website: The official website of Formula 1, offering comprehensive coverage of races, results, and championship standings.
- F1 Flow: The source where Horner’s comments about Verstappen’s radio messages were reported.
- Spa-Francorchamps Circuit: Official website of the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, providing information about the race track and events.
- Sebastian Vettel – Wikipedia: Wikipedia page providing details about Sebastian Vettel’s career and racing achievements.
