Was Red Bull really as dominant as the statistics seem to indicate? Ex-F1 driver Jan Lammers doubts it.
Despite Red Bull’s statistical dominance in 2023, Jan Lammers, former Formula 1 driver and Sporting Director of the Dutch Grand Prix, believes this doesn’t portray the full picture. While the team secured 21 wins from 22 races and 860 championship points with the RB19, Lammers points to the Singapore Grand Prix as evidence that Red Bull is not invincible.
According to Lammers, the perceived dominance is influenced by Max Verstappen’s exceptional performance and the competition behind him. He suggests that without Verstappen, the championship landscape would have looked different, showcasing the significant driving gap between him and teammate Sergio Perez.
Lammers emphasizes that Red Bull had to work consistently for their success, facing challenges in various races. Despite occasional setbacks, including less favorable Fridays, Red Bull’s strategic approach and Verstappen’s exceptional driving played a crucial role in their overall triumph. Lammers notes that the competition, including Ferrari, Mercedes, Aston Martin, and McLaren, showed flashes of strength at times but failed to maintain consistency throughout the season, contributing to Red Bull’s substantial lead in the championship.