Mika Hakkinen rules out Ferrari and Mercedes, claims that no one will catch up with Max Verstappen and Red Bull in 2023

Mika Hakkinen believes that Max Verstappen and Red Bull are in a league of their own, making it tough for Mercedes and Ferrari to catch up.

Mika Hakkinen rules out Ferrari and Mercedes, claims that no one will catch up with Max Verstappen and Red Bull in 2023

Mika Hakkinen, image via Racingnews365, Max Verstappen, image via SBnation

Red Bull Racing has dominated the 2023 F1 season so far. The Austrian team has gone on to win all the first seven rounds of the year. Max Verstappen looks set to win a third consecutive title, albeit being challenged by teammate Sergio Perez. Former F1 world champion Mika Hakkinen expressed his views on the team spirit at Milton Keynes.

The 54-year-old highlighted Red Bull’s advantage over its rivals, including pitstops. The Milton Keynes-based team consistently records two-second stops compared to the three or four-second stops by its rivals. This further showcases the team’s lead in the competition while allowing Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez to have an ace up their sleeves in strategy.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=RZK2SBn6XA4

Hakkinen affirmed that such small gains over the rest of the grid solidify Red Bull’s place at the top. The Finnish driver believed it would be difficult for rivals such as Ferrari and Mercedes to be a real threat to the Austrian team this season, so much that the 54-year-old made a bold claim. He said, “I don’t think anyone is able to catch up [to Red Bull] this year.”

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Red Bull is unbothered by rival upgrades

Max Verstappen driving ahead of rivals at the 2023 Spanish GP, image via The San Diego Union-Tribune
Max Verstappen driving ahead of rivals at the 2023 Spanish GP, image via The San Diego Union-Tribune

In recent weeks, Mercedes and Ferrari have brought significant updates to close the gap with Red Bull. However, this has not affected Milton Keynes, as Verstappen has continued to dominate the grid, including the Spanish GP. However, the Austrian team is working extensively to increase its pace advantage over the grid further.

Team Principal Christian Horner had found it interesting in the shake-up of the pecking order behind Max and Sergio. Mercedes and Ferrari have both adopted new design philosophies closer to the design of the all-conquering Red Bulls. Both teams require a good few months of development to reduce the pace deficit to Milton Keynes truly.

Thus, Mika Hakkinen is confident that Max Verstappen and Red Bull will win the F1 world title in 2023, the Dutchman’s third driver’s title on the trot. The entire Milton Keynes operation seems to be in a league, as rivals are no match for Horner’s unstoppable squad. However, it remains to be seen if things continue this way or if a surprise is in store in the latter half of the season.

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