Stefano Domenicali issues damning statement on Max Verstappen dominance

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Domenicali issues damning statement on Verstappen dominance

The world champion has won three straight titles and proven untouchable

Sam Cook Digital Journalist

Sports Journalist who has been covering motorsport since 2023

Wednesday 8 November 2023 13:57 Updated: 18:46

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Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has said that 'it would be wrong' to take action to try and stop Max Verstappen and Red Bull's dominance.

The team have produced a car that is far superior to the rest of the field in 2023, backed up by the fact that they have only lost one race all season, the Singapore Grand Prix when Carlos Sainz managed to take victory in his Ferrari.

Indeed, heading back into 2022, Max Verstappen has now won 32 of the last 42 races in F1 and cruised to both the 2022 and 2023 drivers' championship, breaking numerous records along the way.

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It has arguably been even more impressive than Mercedes' run of victories in 2016, or their run of world championships between 2014-2021.

Max Verstappen won his 17th race of the season at the Brazilian Grand Prix

The reigning world champion celebrated his third straight itle in Qatar earlier this year

Mercedes were the dominant force in F1 from 2014-2021

Domenicali rules out measures

During that period, F1 officials did intervene to try and curb how dominant Mercedes were over the rest of the field, bringing in measures such as banning their interconnected suspension system in the early days of the hybrid era.

Now, Domenicali has refused to entertain the idea that they might be planning something to level the playing field moving into the future, suggesting excellence needs to be appreciated.

"I think if you look back at the dominance of a driver or a team, it's always been a part of F1," he told Channel 4.

"We need to consider one thing that for sure Max Verstappen has done and is doing an incredible job. We need to recognise that.

"But if you see today at the gaps in qualified, it's just incredible. If you look at the numbers of overtaking we are having the last two seasons, we are at the top of the scale.

"We cannot be seen as a sport that is trying to do something against someone, that would be wrong."