Lewis Hamilton expects Red Bull to restore his 30-second lead over the team in Japan, and if they don’t then something is definitely up.
Despite struggling in testing last Friday in Singapore, few believe that Red Bull, which has claimed all 14 Grand Prix victories so far in F1 2023, is actually in trouble.
However, this was confirmed by a double exit in Q2, as Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz became the first non-Red Bull race winner of the season.
Lewis Hamilton expects Red Bull to lead Suzuka by 30 seconds
Red Bull will then be the main focus of discussion as Formula 1 heads to Suzuka, home of the Japanese Grand Prix, where we will find out whether Singapore is a shock to Red Bull, or not. has something really changed to knock Red Bull off his perch. . The team has always rejected suggestions that the two FIA technical directives given to Singapore, designed to combat flexible bodywork and floors, have any impact on the RB19.
So all eyes are on Suzuka, and if Red Bull struggles again, then Hamilton will say “something is going on” with the Austrian team.
“I think if they don’t lead by 30 seconds, like they have in the past, then something is going on,” Hamilton told the media before the Japanese Grand Prix.
“This past weekend was obviously difficult, but their car here will definitely be amazing. They have been phenomenal all year, with speed on almost every track. “I mean, overall it’s going to be great to look at this car. Normally you come here and it’s great to see the laps they do because the whole team and the riders have done an incredible job with the package they have. So it will be interesting to see how the weekend plays out.
“I hope we get closer and I hope they are not as quick as the 30-second gap they have had in the past.”
Sergio Perez expects a stronger Red Bull at Suzuka
Perez admitted that Red Bull still do not fully understand what happened to them in Singapore, although the team has “clear indications” that a setup error was to blame.
However, F1 2023 now moves to Suzuka and the track which Perez says will actually be one of the “best circuits” on the Red Bull calendar. “Well, that’s definitely the goal,” Perez replied when asked if Red Bull would return this weekend?
“We still don’t really understand what happened in Singapore.
“Obviously we have some good ideas about how we prepared for the weekend, what misinformation we had and where things went wrong. But it’s clearly something we’ll keep in the house, but there are good signs that we may have gone into the weekend with the wrong settings.
“But this track is definitely different so there’s no reason not to be strong. “And Suzuka, actually, that will be one of the best tracks for us.”
If Red Bull overtakes Mercedes in Japan and avoids being chased by Ferrari by 24 points or more, they will claim the 2023 Constructors’ Championship title.
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