The reigning champions, Red Bull, began their partial reign when they won drivers’ championship after the dramatic last lap showdown at Abu Dhabi 2021. While they were making a great number of efforts to explain the legitimacy of the championship, they were dealt with another blow when they emerged as cost cap breachers of the very season. The penalties that followed will make it difficult for Milton Keynes to replicate last season’s dominance, but Max Verstappen is unfazed by it.

Red Bull team Principal Christian Horner, unlike their #1 driver, felt that the FIA verdict of $7 million fine and a 10% reduction in wind tunnel time was draconian. The hidden disadvantage for the team is that they already had the least wind tunnel time due to the handicap rule introduced by F1. The rule introduced progressive performance convergence, meaning that the team finishing first will have the least wind tunnel time. This has been done to bunch the grid closer together in terms of development. But the Dutchman believes in his people to deliver.

As quoted by Formula Passion Italy, Verstappen during the launch event in New York said, “Obviously, I thought about it, but I think we have many very knowledgeable people in our factory. The sanction makes things a little more difficult, but I prefer it that way, it would be much more depressing to always finish second or third in the championship.”

Stating his faith in his team and perhaps Adrian Newey, he said, “We have a lot of good people and I’m sure we need to be a little more precise in what we do in the wind tunnel, but I don’t expect that to be a limiting factor in whether we win the title or not.”

Max Verstappen Rubbishes Taskmaster Helmut Marko’s Exaggerated $15 Million Narrative to Come Clean

What Adrian Newey has concocted for 2023 will be known in less than a month’s time, but with their rivals also coming up to speed with the alchemy of car making, Max believes his greatest rival is sure to resurrect.

Lewis Hamilton is Max Verstappen’s chief rival in the upcoming season, says the latter

While the Mercedes struggled to make the car work, their biggest rivals in a smooth sailing ride went on to clench the championships without any real opposition. After continuously bouncing for the most part of the season, the Brackely outfit finally made a stride in the right direction, scoring a 1-2 in Brazil. Verstappen believes that if the Silver Arrows keep up the development pace shown in the second half of the season, then his biggest threat on track, Lewis Hamilton can pose a threat.

Speaking to Sky Sports during the Red Bull livery launch, he said, “He’s been one of the greatest drivers ever in the sport, so for sure if he has the car to do it, he can fight for the title again.”

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Watch This Story: Max Verstappen and Christian Horner slam Mercedes for trying to ‘take shine off’ F1 title win after Lewis Hamilton drama

With the inception of 2023 season set to take place in less than a month’s time, it will be interesting to see if anyone can dethrone the champions.