Max Verstappen’s remarkable winning streak persists as he clinches his fourth consecutive victory in Canada, cementing his status as a force to be reckoned with in Formula 1.
Nevertheless, Aston Martin and Mercedes showcased notable improvements, closing in on Red Bull Racing at the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve.
Lewis Hamilton, in particular, drew a stark comparison between his Mercedes W14 and the RB19 and AMR23.
Thus far, Red Bull has secured victories with comfortable margins of around 20 seconds ahead of the first non-Red Bull car, with the exception of the race in Australia, which concluded behind the safety car.
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However, in Canada, Aston Martin introduced several upgrades that appeared to yield positive results.
As a result, the gap to victory for the British team narrowed to just under 10 seconds, with Mercedes trailing behind by a margin of fourteen seconds.
During the post-race press conference in Canada, the seven-time world champion was questioned about the most significant disparities he observed between his Mercedes and the RB19 and AMR23.
Hamilton had closely trailed Verstappen at the start of the race and subsequently followed Fernando Alonso, affording him valuable insight into their respective cars.
“One noticeable difference is the low-speed rear end. Having followed Max, I could experience the strength of his rear end. It remains remarkably stable, allowing him to pull ahead by around 10 car lengths as he exits corners,” Hamilton shared.
He also acknowledged Alonso’s formidable braking ability and exceptional speed through low-speed corners, specifically highlighting turn 10 and turn 2.
The analysis offered by Hamilton sheds light on the specific areas where Red Bull demonstrates superiority over its rivals.
The stability and grip exhibited by Verstappen’s car allow him to gain a significant advantage in low-speed sections, granting him a decisive edge on the track.
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Alonso’s prowess on the brakes and his ability to navigate through low-speed corners also drew commendation from Hamilton.
As the Formula 1 season unfolds, teams will undoubtedly be studying Red Bull’s performance closely, aiming to bridge the gap and challenge Verstappen’s dominance.
The progress exhibited by Aston Martin and Mercedes in Canada demonstrates their determination to narrow the distance and pose a greater threat to the reigning champions.