Jenson Button, 2009 Formula 1 world champion and teammate Fernando Alonso on its way through McLaren Honda between 2015 and 2016, he spoke about his expectations for the 2023 season. The ex-driver assured that despite the comfortable victory of Max Verstappen In Bahrainthe advantage of Red Bull It is smaller than many claim.
Briton attributes Red Bull’s overwhelming dominance to unusual nature of circuit Sakhir: “Bahrain is very unique in the way cars work there. It’s hard braking, traction, it’s not so much about high speed.”
According to Button, the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix next weekend will be much more representative: “I think it will be understood a little better after Saudi Arabia, which is a faster circuit. And also when the European races will happen,” he said. .
For this reason, the 2009 world champion predicts that Verstappen and Red Bull will have to work hard to repeat the two titles they won last season: “It will not be a walk in the park for Red Bull and Max. It’s a good start. to the season, very different from last year. But I still think we’re going to have very, very close battles.”
Button was also asked about Fernando Alonso’s debut with Aston Martin in Bahrain, and ensures that the overtaking of Asturian in Lewis Hamilton It is only accessible to the best. “I loved the action, there was a lot of it. To see two world champions competing, Lewis and Fernando, was very special,” he said. “I’m looking for big races and big fights. And two greats like Lewis and Fernando going head-to-head was very special.”