Ferrai boss Fred Vasseur claims Red Bull is the only team with a ‘number 1 driver’

Fred Vasseur was adamant that Red Bull continues to focus on its lead driver.

Ferrai boss Fred Vasseur claims Red Bull is the only team with a ‘number 1 driver’

Fred Vasseur (image via Spogo News), Max Verstappen (image via RacingNews365)

Red Bull is currently dominating Formula 1. The Milton Keynes-based team has enjoyed a massive lead over its rivals as it remains undefeated in 2023. However, it is Max Verstappen who has bagged most of the team’s wins this year with ten out of twelve victories. At the same time, Sergio Perez has only won two races. Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur believes that Red Bull is the only team in F1 that has a lead driver.

Vasseur highlighted the equal treatment given to his drivers, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, at the Scuderia, with both drivers even matching each other regarding points for the Italian team. Similarly, the Frenchman was convinced that even Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell had an equal footing at Brackley. He said, as reported by Formulapassion.it., Sainz and Leclerc are on exactly the same level, they are equal… Mercedes treat Hamilton and Russell the same.”

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Subsequent;y, Fred Vasseur insisted that Red Bull is the only team on the grid that revolves itself around one driver. Verstappen has been the focal point for the Milton Keynes-based team ever since Daniel Ricciardo left the squad at the end of 2018. Since then, the Austrian team has signed up drivers who could complement the Dutch driver. Vasseur stated, “The only team with a first driver is Red Bull.”

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Sergio Perez fails to challenge Max Verstappen

Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez after Qualifying at the Belgian GP (Credits: @FastestPitStop/Twitter)
Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez after Qualifying at the Belgian GP (Credits: @FastestPitStop/Twitter)

Red Bull signed Sergio Perez before the start of the 2021 season. The Mexican driver spent two seasons in the shadow of Verstappen. However, the Mexican driver was eager to fight for the world title in 2023. The season has started well for Checo, as he won two races in the first few rounds. Unfortunately, the 33-year-old proved no match for the two-time world champion in the latter races.

Max Verstappen has now won eight consecutive races this season. This puts the Dutch driver just one race victory away from matching Sebastian Vettel’s record. On the other hand, Perez trails his teammate by a gap of 125 points after the F1 summer break. Certainly, the Mexican driver has given up on his target of winning the championship in 2023.

Thus, Fred Vasseur was convinced that Red Bull remains the only team with a number 1 driver. The Milton Keynes-based team continues to focus on Max Verstappen while Sergio Perez struggles behind. The Frenchman was adamant that Ferrari was providing equal status to its drivers, with results proving this claim as well.

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