In the lead-up to the Singapore Grand Prix, Red Bull Racing’s Helmut Marko has openly expressed his concerns about the formidable pace of Charles Leclerc and the Ferrari team.
Red Bull finds itself on the cusp of achieving an unprecedented feat in Formula 1, with just eight victories standing between them and a clean sweep of race wins for the 2023 season.
Having dominated the Constructors’ Championship in 2023, Red Bull has showcased unparalleled dominance, securing victory in all 14 races held thus far.
Their extraordinary performance has catapulted them into a commanding position, amassing a staggering 310-point lead over their nearest rivals, Mercedes.
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What’s more, Max Verstappen’s exceptional form has seen him clinch victory in each of the last ten Grands Prix, eclipsing Sebastian Vettel’s record of nine successive race wins achieved during the team’s illustrious 2013 campaign.
Red Bull Racing has already etched its name into the record books this year by achieving the most consecutive team victories.
However, their sights are set on achieving the unthinkable: extending this remarkable winning streak across an entire season.
Addressing potential threats to Red Bull’s record-breaking run, Helmut Marko stated, “Like every race, we have had a competitive car everywhere, so why should that not be the case in Singapore?
“But I have to say Ferrari and especially Leclerc is a specialist around there.
“If they are faster in qualifying, then it could become a problem for us because overtaking in Singapore is very difficult.
“But I’m still optimistic that the package we are bringing to Singapore is good enough to win.”
Marko’s concerns are not unfounded. Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz recently claimed a historic pole position at Monza, leaving Red Bull’s Max Verstappen frustrated during the opening stint of the race.
Furthermore, Leclerc has already secured pole position on two occasions in the 2023 season.
The Singapore Grand Prix poses a unique challenge, as it is one of the most challenging circuits to overtake on.
Its short start-finish straight, limited DRS zones, and numerous 90-degree corners make it exceptionally challenging for trailing cars to make their way to the front of the field.
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If Ferrari were to lock out the front row, Red Bull could face significant obstacles, even if they boast superior race pace.
Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing’s Team Principal, acknowledged the many factors that could impact their pursuit of this historic achievement, stating, “There are so many elements, whether it’s reliability, whether it’s luck, whether it’s strategy, whether it’s a pitstop, whether it’s pace, weather – there are so many elements.
“You’ve got to stay on top of your game, and I think that’s what, for me, that’s the most remarkable achievement this year so far is that we haven’t dropped the ball.”