The 2023 Formula 1 season was an era-defining spectacle, witnessing Red Bull and Max Verstappen’s dominance at a level unseen in the history of the sport. This extraordinary feat, highlighted by Cyril Abiteboul, former Renault team boss, has eclipsed even Michael Schumacher’s legendary reign at Ferrari.
“Ferrari’s dominance was at a time when F1 was much less competitive than it is now,” Abiteboul remarked to Franceinfo, drawing a stark contrast between the eras. “Ferrari dominated with budgets and a structure that had nothing to do with the other teams.”
However, he acknowledges Red Bull’s distinctive place in today’s highly competitive F1 environment. “Sure, Red Bull is a prestigious team that is very well organised and financed, but it is not the only one. Yet they dominate in an environment where others are not weak,” he added, emphasizing the heightened competitive landscape.
Abiteboul expressed particular admiration for Verstappen’s impressive winning streak, especially given the stability of the regulations. “When there is a change in regulations, we can have a team which has worked particularly well and found a trick,” he explained. “But here in 2023, the regulations were already known. So the other teams should have become more competitive.”
The secret ingredient to Red Bull’s recipe for success, according to Abiteboul, lies in the personnel continuity at its helm. “They know each other by heart,” he says. “And they are formidable,” even acknowledging his past tense relations with the team during its Renault-powered days.
The critical factor in Red Bull’s 2023 dominance, as per Abiteboul, was Verstappen’s exceptional performance, overshadowing his teammate Sergio Perez. “Max is exceptional,” he states, highlighting the contrast with Perez’s experience and performance. “He did his best, but he suffered from the fact that Max has a very special way of driving, with a car with a very light rear axle.”
Acknowledging Verstappen’s unique position within the team, Abiteboul observed, “There is no doubt that it’s Max Verstappen’s car – designed for him. He is pampered in this team. Very good drivers like Pierre Gasly and Alexander Albon were also his teammates and also did not succeed in driving that car.”
Abiteboul pointed out a notable aspect of Verstappen’s races: “He (Max) has psychological influence and such a great car. But the ease with which he overtakes is because the other drivers don’t even fight him. They know they can’t race him. So rather than wearing out their tyres to hold him back, they just let him pass,” he said with a smile.
Despite Verstappen’s commanding performance and its impact on TV audiences, Abiteboul warns of potential long-term effects on F1. “It’s a championship that has remarkable commercial dynamics, because it brings new things every year like Las Vegas,” he said. “There are many other interests than first place in the drivers’ championship.”
He concluded with a cautionary note about the future of F1, suggesting that a prolonged period of such dominance could pose challenges, though he remains optimistic about increased competition by the next rule change in 2026.
