Red Bull’s remarkable display of dominance in the 2023 Formula 1 season has carried over from their successful 2022 campaign, with the team securing eight consecutive victories in the opening rounds. As a result, another title double for Red Bull appears increasingly likely, with Max Verstappen leading the championship by 69 points over his teammate Sergio Perez.
Ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton, a former rival of Verstappen’s, expressed his views on how to bring an end to eras of dominance that have characterized much of Formula 1’s history. Hamilton proposed a rule change that would prevent teams from switching their focus to the following year’s car too early, as it perpetuates their advantage and allows the domination to continue.
“I think the FIA should probably put a time when everyone is allowed to start developing for the next year’s car,” Hamilton suggested in an interview with Sky F1. “So August 1, that’s when everybody can start, so that no one can get an advantage from the next year. Because that sucks.”
Verstappen, in response to Hamilton’s proposal, pointed out that the Mercedes driver himself had experienced a period of dominance with his team, which preceded the current era led by Verstappen. Hamilton’s dominance at Mercedes resulted in unprecedented success, including six World Championships.
“We weren’t talking about that when he was winning his Championships, right? So I don’t think we should now,” Verstappen candidly commented to Sky F1.
The exchange between Hamilton and Verstappen highlights the ongoing rivalry and differing perspectives on how to address dominant periods in Formula 1. While Hamilton calls for regulatory changes to level the playing field, Verstappen emphasizes the cyclical nature of dominance in the sport and suggests that it should not be a cause for concern.
As the championship progresses, Red Bull’s focus is already shifting towards the development of their RB20 car for the following season, indicating their confidence in maintaining their strong position. With Red Bull’s dominance and Hamilton’s call for rule changes, the Formula 1 community continues to engage in discussions about the future of the sport and how to ensure a fair and competitive environment for all teams.
