Max Verstappen Plays It Safe While Publicly Calling Out Queen’s Monopoly in F1: “Improvement Is Possible”

The rubber has an integral role to play in a race. Races have been won and lost over the choice of tire compound. Pirelli has been ruling the F1 world for over a decade. Though we saw the Italy-based tire manufacturer block practice runs as their testing and development sessions, Max Verstappen is not quite satisfied with that effort.

The F1 rubber provider Pirelli is the sole tire manufacturer for the Formula 1 races across the globe since 2011. Some would even call the Milano manufacturers the queen of the F1 kingdom. Before the monopoly, there used to be a tire war between the likes of Michelin and Goodyear. In 2011, Pirelli succeeded Bridgestone as F1’s sole tire supplier. Sitting at the top of the motor sporting world, that reign doesn’t come without criticism. The double world champion has been the latest to chime in.

As quoted by formulapassion.it, Verstappen in his speech for Viaplay said, “I’m quite sure that an improvement is possible, but I think there is a need for further discussions with Pirelli. I’m not trying to be negative, because I’m very happy to work with them to find better tires and I believe this will create even better wet racing….I just want to help out because I’ve been in F1 for a long time and that’s great because they’ve invested a lot in this discipline and they’re a great brand, but we can do better.”

He added, “Of course, when there is competition in terms of tire supply, suppliers go to extremes and give everything they have in terms of resources, but when it’s not there, you relax. It still costs a lot of research money to be the supplier, don’t get me wrong, but you don’t need to find another two or three-tenths.” 

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If the person who conquered all last season still wants to extract more from the rubber, then perhaps there obviously is room for improvement. Verstappen has had an out-and-out dominant year in 2022. Still Hungry for more, Verstappen believes Pirelli’s monopoly may make them complacent.

Verstappen is confident of Red Bull in 2023

Verstappen led a highly dominant 2023 season. He secured his crown being a gazillion points ahead of his almost rival Charles Leclerc. And the synergy both the drivers at Red Bull showcased brought home the championship trophy home after almost a decade.

The Milton Keynes-based outfit hopes to have a better kickstart in the coming season. They had tapped into the speed gods for the 2022 season and how. Expecting to continue the momentum, the team, and their champion has to plan to recreate the glory in the coming season.

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Pirelli, still being the ruler in the tire department for the coming seasons, should take into account the reigning champions’ suggestions.