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Formula 1 teams believe Red Bull will return to form at the 2023 Japanese Grand Prix after the Austrian team’s struggles being a “breath of fresh air”.
Red Bull had nowhere near the same pace as the frontrunners in last weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix (Image Credit: Edmund So/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)Red Bull experienced a rare difficult weekend last weekend in Singapore. The Bulls ended their 15-race winning streak with a disappointing display at the Marina Bay Circuit.
With needing a raised ride height for the bumpy nature of the circuit, the RB19 was not working, struggling with the set up. Max Verstappen recovered from 11th to fifth, whereas Sergio Perez could only manage eighth.
With the Austrian team’s woes, it allowed for other teams to fight for the race win. A battle between Ferrari, Mercedes and McLaren resulted in Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz winning ahead of McLaren driver Lando Norris.
One-off race for Red Bull
Despite Red Bull’s difficulties, the paddock believes that it was a one-off race. The general consensus is that the Austrian team will be able to nail the set up of the RB19 at a more traditional circuit in Suzuka.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, who believes that a change up at the front was a “breath of fresh air” for Formula 1, said:
“I have no doubt they will be strong for the more conventional race tracks. But it is a breath of fresh air that we have a different winner and a podium without them, so we’ve got to take the small positives in a year of Red Bull dominance.”
Mercedes had their drivers running in a strong third and fourth on an alternate strategy. However, George Russell would crash on the last lap, resulting with Lewis Hamilton taking the final step on the podium.
Sainz lead every lap of the Singapore Grand Prix (Image Credit: Kym Illman/Getty Images)Ferrari made the most out of rare chance
Race winner Sainz believes Ferrari made the most out of a rare situation, with Red Bull struggling. However, the Spaniard expects the Austrian team to return to winning ways this weekend in Japan.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re still winning the last few races of the season.
“I think Singapore gave us the chance and we just did well. But I still think the Red Bull is going to be up there in the remainder of the season and they’re going to be very, very, very, very difficult to beat.
“I just think it’s great for F1 if Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes, Aston [Martin] would be that two, three-tenths quicker every race, to challenge them in race pace.
“But it’s true that if Red Bull have nailed the car this year and they were doing such an amazing job they deserve to win everything that they’re winning.”
Red Bull and Verstappen will be hoping to wrap up the constructors’ and drivers’ championships as soon as possible with both being well clear at the top of the respective championships.
When do you think Red Bull will mathematically win the constructors’ and Verstappen will win the drivers’ championship?
Feature Image Credit: Mark Thompson via Getty Images
