With the two championships already in the hands of Red Bull and Verstappen, the leading teams are increasingly preparing for the coming season. Mercedes took its latest updates in Austin and revealed that they have the W13 ‘s problems under control, to the point of having a good base for 2023. However, Ferrari and the reigning champions have not been sitting idly by either.
The Italians have shown throughout the season that there is a lot of speed in the F1-75, but driving and strategic errors have deprived the Cavallino of a chance in this year’s championship. Red Bull will go into winter as the team to beat: the team has dominated the category, winning every race after the summer break.
That Red Bull dominance is very reminiscent of the start of the Mercedes era in 2014 . 2016 world champion Nico Rosberg told Sky Sports that the fact that Red Bull have won both world championships so soon is a sign of how strong they are. ” Red Bull has it all right now ,” says Rosberg. “The car, the development curve during the season, the reliability, the best driver, the strategy. Everything is coming together perfectly at Red Bull. Even the engine is working fantastic now,” commented the German.
Verstappen battled Hamilton for victory in Austin… and won
With Red Bull in form after the summer break, Rosberg predicts it will be a tough job for Mercedes and Ferrari to keep up. “For Mercedes, the Achilles’ heel at the moment seems to be top speed. They are incredibly slow on the straights! Especially compared to Red Bull. I hope they find some answers so they can get some performance in that area,” he said. Rossberg.
The top speed difference was especially conspicuous when Max Verstappen was chasing Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes for victory last weekend in Austin. Even with a DRS, Hamilton struggled to keep up with the Dutchman after Verstappen overtook him six laps before the checkered flag.
