Red Bull Racing’s unprecedented winning streak in the 2023 Formula 1 season came to an end as Carlos Sainz claimed victory for Ferrari.
The race saw Red Bull face unexpected challenges, leaving them with more questions than answers regarding their recent performance.
Qualifying for the Singapore Grand Prix raised eyebrows across the F1 community as Red Bull failed to progress past the Q2 stage.
This uncharacteristic setback put their otherwise dominant 2023 campaign in jeopardy, leaving fans and pundits alike in disbelief.
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Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, Team Principal of Red Bull Racing expressed his disappointment with the timing of the Safety Car intervention during the race, which further complicated their chances of a comeback.
Both Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez had started the race on hard compound tires, hoping for a well-timed Safety Car period.
Unfortunately, the Safety Car emerged on Lap 20 due to Logan Sargeant’s incident, benefiting other teams as Red Bull was left to continue without pitting.
Verstappen eventually carved his way through the field after switching to medium tires, finishing a mere 0.2 seconds behind Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
Horner acknowledged the improved race performance, stating, “I think we understood a lot more in the race, and the pace of the car came much more back to what we expected.”
Horner explained their strategic gamble, saying, “Unfortunately in the race, by starting on the hard, we took, if you like, a strategic gamble, and the best way for that race to pay off is if you get an early Safety Car or a Safety Car later into the race.”
However, the untimely Safety Car intervention worked against Red Bull, causing them to lose track position and struggle with tire performance.
Carlos Sainz’s victory for Ferrari marked the end of Red Bull’s remarkable 15-race winning streak.
Horner congratulated Ferrari and Carlos Sainz, acknowledging the competition they faced.
He also shifted focus to the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix, where Red Bull aims to secure the F1 2023 Constructors’ title, stating:
“We’ve narrowed in on both championships, which we have a chance of winning the Constructors’ in Japan next weekend.”
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As questions arise about Red Bull’s recent performance dip, Horner addressed the challenges faced at the Marina Bay Street Circuit, considering it a difficult track for the team.
He remained hopeful for better results in Japan, saying, “So two completely different layouts, a completely different type of circuit, so hopefully we can be competitive in Japan next weekend.”
Despite their struggles, Sergio Perez managed to maintain his P8 finish in the race, albeit with a five-second time penalty for a collision with Alex Albon.