Jenson Button, Formula 1 world champion in 2009 and teammate Fernando Alonso on his way through McLaren-Honda between 2015 and 2016, he has spoken about his expectations for the 2023 season. The ex-driver has assured that despite the comfortable victory of max verstappen in Bahrainthe advantage of Red Bull It is smaller than many claim.
The Briton blames Red Bull’s overwhelming dominance on the unusual nature of the circuit sakhir: “Bahrain is very unique in the way the cars work there. It’s a hard braking circuit, 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 we will understand it a little better after Saudi Arabia, which is a faster circuit. And also when the European races come around,” he assured. .
For this reason, the 2009 world champion foresees that Verstappen and Red Bull will have to work hard to repeat the two titles they won last season: “It won’t be a walk in the park for Red Bull and Max. It’s a great start to the season , very different from last year. But I still think we’re going to have some very, very close battles.”
Button has also been asked about Fernando Alonso’s debut with Aston Martin in Bahrain, and ensures that the overtaking of the Asturian to lewis hamilton It is only available to the best. “I loved the action, there was a lot. Seeing two world champions competing, Lewis and Fernando, was very special,” he said. “I’m looking for great races and great fights. And two greats like Lewis and Fernando going head to head was very special.”
