Former Renault team boss Cyril Abiteboul has declared that no team and driver combination in Formula 1 has ever dominated the sport the way Red Bull and Max Verstappen did in 2023. Abiteboul compared it even to Michael Schumacher’s title-winning streak at Ferrari, emphasizing the unique nature of Red Bull’s dominance.
Abiteboul acknowledged that Ferrari’s dominance occurred in a less competitive era of F1, with a significant difference in budgets and structures between teams. In contrast, Red Bull’s success in 2023 comes within a more competitive environment where other teams are not considered weak.
He highlighted the impressive nature of Verstappen’s victories, particularly in 2023, stating that the stability at the top of Red Bull, led by figures like Christian Horner, Adrian Newey, and Jonathan Wheatley, played a pivotal role in their success. Abiteboul, despite his past differences with Red Bull during its Renault-powered era, praised the team’s formidable and well-coordinated personnel.
The key to Red Bull’s dominance, according to Abiteboul, lies in Verstappen’s exceptional driving skills and the team’s understanding of his preferences. He asserted that Verstappen’s car is designed specifically for him, causing other drivers to refrain from challenging him on the track.
Abiteboul highlighted Verstappen’s psychological influence and the remarkable ease with which he overtakes competitors, suggesting that other drivers often choose not to fight him, knowing they can’t match his pace. This, he believes, contributes to Red Bull’s unparalleled success in 2023.
Despite Verstappen’s dominance, TV ratings for F1 in France have remained consistent between 2022 and 2023, as reported by Canal Plus. Abiteboul cautioned that prolonged dominance could eventually pose problems for F1, emphasizing the importance of commercial dynamics and the need for competition to keep the sport engaging for viewers.
He concluded by expressing his surprise if Red Bull’s dominance were to continue into the next season, speculating that increased competition might arise by the time of the next rule change in 2026.
