Sebastian Vettel SLAMS Max Verstappen’s critics for downplaying the Red Bull driver’s impressive 2023 season

Red Bull is the only team to secure a win this season, and this lack of completion has masked Max Verstappen’s near-perfect runs in all races.

Sebastian Vettel SLAMS Max Verstappen’s critics for downplaying the Red Bull driver’s impressive 2023 season

Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel (Credits: PlanetF1)

Max Verstappen’s 2023 season will surely be one for the history books. At 255 points, he can single-handedly lead Red Bull to win the Constructor’s Title. The Dutchman had a legendary showdown with Lewis Hamilton in the 2021 season and produced a record-breaking season for most wins in 2022. He is well on his way to grab his third world championship.

Despite this stellar performance, many critics are undermining his performance by accrediting his results to the superior RB 19. Former Red Bull driver and four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel came to Verstappen’s defense by highlighting that it is just as difficult being at the top.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ywewjjWu-8

“You have to give him credit, he is performing fantastic. He is incredibly talented and makes no mistakes. As soon as you drive at the front because you are doing well, people are quick to say it is boring and that you win easily,” Vettel told the press at Goodwood Festival of Speed.

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Vettel also drew on the experiences of other legends like Lewis Hamilton, Michael Schumacher, and Mika Hakkinen, saying none of them had it easy in their dominant years. He also praised Red Bull for their consistency and quality.

“But there is much more to play than just lap times. I’m sure Lewis Hamilton never had it easy during his dominant years, just as, for example, Mick Schumacher, Mika Hakkinen and myself never had it easy,” the former Ferrari and Aston Martin driver added.

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Sebastian Vettel believes Red Bull can win all races in 2023

Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel
Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel (Credits: NDTV Sports)

The closest a team has come to achieving this was McLaren in 1988, with Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna as their drivers. The duo won all but one race, the Italian GP, that season. Sebastian Vettel believes that it is very well a possibility for the Milton-Keynes-based team to end the season with all the victories in their bag.

“With this car, that chance is definitely there. Reliability should never let the team down, no crazy things should happen, and they have to survive all the first laps. No team has ever managed to do it. McLaren was close in 1988. So anything is possible, but we can only wait and see,” Vettel said.

Formula One grid is five days away from the Hungarian Grand Prix. Verstappen will be looking to extend his winning streak to seven with the newly upgraded McLarens behind him, eying another podium after the British Grand Prix. His teammate Sergio Perez will be looking to make a mark by bouncing back from a poor streak of results.

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