Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing RB19. 18.06.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 9, Canadian Grand Prix, Montreal, Canada, Race Day.
1996 Formula 1 World Champion Damon Hill believes Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton are the two drivers who can stop Red Bull from winning every race in 2023.
After winning 10 of the 11 remaining rounds in 2022, Red Bull has extended its competitive advantage over the rest to win all 10 races to take place this season.
Max Verstappen’s sixth consecutive time on the top step of the podium saw the Austrian outfit equal the all-time record for the most consecutive wins (11) in F1 history.
But despite Red Bull’s supreme dominance showing no signs of averting anytime soon, Hill predicts that either Alonso in the Aston Martin or Hamilton’s Mercedes will be the ones to halt the reigning champions.
“Winning every race in a season is something that nobody has ever achieved,” Hill acknowledged via The Independent. They (Red Bull) will keep saying no to it, but they would love to do it.
“My experience says that there are two drivers who are going to avoid it: Fernando or Lewis will win again.”
However, Hill admits Verstappen possesses the capacity to potentially win every remaining race himself if either of his picks fails to stop Red Bull’s rampant run.
The Dutchman has not been pipped to victory since he was beaten by Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix at the end of April.
The podium (L to R): Fernando Alonso (ESP) Aston Martin F1 Team, second; Adrian Newey (GBR) Red Bull Racing Chief Technical Officer; Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing, race winner; Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1, third. 18.06.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 9, Canadian Grand Prix, Montreal, Canada, Race Day.
“If they don’t win, Max could take, frankly, all the victories that remain,” Hill conceded.
“It would be an incredible achievement for him and Red Bull and it would also add a lot of tension to the last few races of the season.”
While Verstappen is currently enjoying the most successful run of his F1 career, Perez has hit a slump following his victory in Baku.
The Mexican has failed to advance to Q3 during the previous five race weekends and has dropped a substantial 99 points behind Verstappen in the Drivers’ Championship.
Although Red Bull team boss Christian Horner has alleviated any doubts over his future, AlphaTauri’s appointment of Daniel Ricciardo could place Perez under pressure.
Perez will therefore be aiming to get a handle on his qualifying struggles at this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix, where Red Bull is set to introduce an extensive upgrade package.
Verstappen, who is now only three wins shy of equalling Sebastian Vettel’s benchmark tally of nine consecutive victories, has challenged Red Bull to continue improving all aspects of its RB19 car.
“Drag, low speed, medium speed, high speed, DRS effect, tyre wear… All of these areas. That’s what we’re working on! Braking performance. Yeah, I’m not kidding,” he said after the British Grand Prix.
Meanwhile, the nearest challenger to the championship leaders has consistently been evolving in recent rounds, with four separate sides taking turns to finish runner-up to Red Bull across the last four races.
Keyword: Hill believes two drivers can stop Red Bull 2023 F1 clean sweep