Kees van de Grint thinks there is a good chance that Max Verstappen will fulfill the role of favorite in 2023. According to many experts, the reigning world champion is the towering favorite to add a third world title to his palmares and the Viaplay analyst is also of the same opinion. Van de Grint would even find it disappointing if Verstappen does not become world champion again this year.
Red Bull Racing made a huge impression during the test days last week. The RB19 not only showed strong performance during the race simulation, but the speed over one lap was also impressive. In recent days, one analyst after another bombed Verstappen as the top favorite for 2023. Van de Grint agrees. “There is a very good chance that he will live up to that role of favorite,” says the analyst in the Viaplay program Shakedown.
Van de Grint even goes a step further. “After the dominance of last year and that of the test days, it would actually be disappointing if he (Verstappen, ed.) does not become that.” However, the former Bridgestone tire expert realizes that the season is still long and anything can happen. ‘Of course we still have to start, but he remains the big favorite in the first few weeks.’
Ferrari ‘just’ participates for the top three
Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz failed to put the SF-23 in the top three on Friday. Nevertheless, Van de Grint thinks that Ferrari is ‘just there’. They are still good for the top three. I don’t know exactly what the ratios are, but I still think Red Bull is the fastest team. Ferrari will certainly compete for the podium,” said the Viaplay analyst.
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