via Getty
BARCELONA, SPAIN – FEBRUARY 27: Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Red Bull Racing, Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner and Red Bull Racing Team Consultant Dr Helmut Marko look on in the garage during Day Two of F1 Winter Testing at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on February 27, 2020 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
via Getty
BARCELONA, SPAIN – FEBRUARY 27: Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Red Bull Racing, Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner and Red Bull Racing Team Consultant Dr Helmut Marko look on in the garage during Day Two of F1 Winter Testing at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on February 27, 2020 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
Red Bull has arguably laid the groundwork to repeat the dynasty they created with Sebastian Vettel back in the early 2010s. That being said, though, Max Verstappen and Co. still have a few details to iron out before they can embark on, hopefully, another record-breaking season in 2023. The way 2022 went for the Bulls, you’d expect they could easily just put their feet up and relax. However, there is a three-point agenda that the team seeks to address on the road to their bid to become one of the most successful constructors in the history of this sport.
via Reuters
Formula One F1. Mexico City Grand Prix. Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City, Mexico. October 30, 2022. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen celebrates winning the race on the podium with second placed Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton. REUTERS/Edgard Garrido.
First, is the matter of their rivals. Team boss Christian Horner told ServusTV, “They [Mercedes] will come back strong and have two fast drivers. The Ferraris will also be strong, they already had a fast car in 2022.” But for Verstappen, there’s only one man he aims to beat, Lewis Hamilton. “Hopefully we’re way ahead. That’s the goal,” he said. [translated via Google Translate]
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After what the FIA dished out to Red Bull for their cost cap breach, team advisor Helmut Marko also has a word of caution for their development unit. “We are assuming a very successful car. However, we have a reduction in the wind tunnel hours. So what we try has to work.”
Undoubtedly, Verstappen would be super focused on preparing for his 2023 season. That being said, the 2x Champion took some time out of his busy schedule to help another budding driver leave his mark in F1 next year.
Max Verstappen plays manager as he helps Nyck de Vries secure AlphaTauri seat
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Nyck de Vries’ Monza showing was simply, simply lovely! And that’s probably exactly why Verstappen went the extra mile to help his fellow countryman secure a seat with Red Bull’s sister team, AlphaTauri. But how exactly did the Dutch lion do that?
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Formula One F1. United States Grand Prix. Circuit of the Americas. Austin, Texas. U.S. October 23, 2022. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen celebrates after winning the United States Grand Prix with Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko. REUTERS/Ricardo Arduengo.
Well, he explained it to Viaplay saying, “I told him call Helmut. I saw Helmut after the race, he was very happy and impressed. And if you call him at the right time. When he thinks ‘You need to be in my car’ then he will sign you up because it can happen very quickly.”
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