“I would put my money on it,” Former F1 driver believes Max Verstappen could win the championship in the same Ferrari Charles Leclerc is struggling
Max Verstappen is leading the 2023 F1 championship 63 points ahead of Charles Leclerc.
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Max Verstappen,Charles Leclerc. Images via Insider.
Max Verstappen has a long-term partnership with Red Bull, and it is a successful one. The Dutchman signed a new contract with the team in 2022. He is likely to be with the team till the end of the 2028 Formula 1 season. Things are going well for the reigning world champion and the Milton Keynes team. Verstappen is a two-time world champion; he won consecutive world titles in 2021 and 2022.
From the data collected in the 2023 season, the 25-year-old has a high chance of winning his third consecutive title. He is the championship leader after the first three rounds of the 2023 season. While Verstappen is dominating the field, his 2022 rival Charles Leclerc is having the worst start to a season. However, former F1 driver Michael Bleekemolen claims Max Verstappen would win a world title in the same machinery as Leclerc.
Michael Bleekemolen was asked if Verstappen could win a world title with Ferrari. The 73-year-old with 5 entries in Formula 1 told GPFans, “I would put my money on it. I think so. Who is good, the car or the driver? That’s true in a lot of teams.” He also added, “Put Max in a McLaren, he might be in the middle of the field or even further forward. Who’s to say?”
Max Verstappen is dominating the 2023 season
Bleekemolen believes that Max Verstappen is capable of excelling in any machinery, irrespective of the team he is driving for. The Dutchman has earned respect due to his brilliant driving skills. Charles Leclerc was his only rival in 2022, and this season he is suffering from reliability issues. This has become common with Ferrari. However, Bleekemolen thinks Verstappen in the SF23 would help the team win the championship.
Red Bull’s pace is unmatched. Verstappen won two of the three races held so far, at the Bahrain Grand Prix and the Australian Grand Prix. And his teammate, Sergio Perez, won the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. But Bleekemolen does not think it is the car; he believes in Verstappen’s ability to push the car beyond limits and extract its true potential.
Though only three rounds of the 2023 F1 season are done, Max Verstappen and Red Bull are the season’s favorites. The team has brought an efficient package capable of winning championships. However, other teams like Ferrari, Mercedes, and Aston Martin will bring updates in the next few races. And hopefully, they would compete with Red Bull making it a thrilling season.
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Sugantha Meena
(493 Articles Published)