F1 pundit explains why Red Bull aren't 'miles ahead' of rivals

Cal Gaunt
Monday 13 November 2023 17:57

F1 pundit Tom Clarkson does not believe that Red Bull are "miles ahead" of their rivals, but insists consistency is key for other teams to rival them.

With 19 victories out of 20 Formula One Grands Prix this season, 17 of which have been secured by world champion Max Verstappen, Red Bull have rarely looked over their shoulders as they took victory in both the constructors and drivers' championships.

Despite this clear dominance over the rest of the grid, Clarkson believesthe gulf between Red Bull and their challengers, Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren, is not as big as one might think.

Consistency is key

“I think, in a nutshell, what we’ve seen from Mercedes actually explains the difference between Red Bull and the entire grid,” Clarkson told the F1 Nation podcast.

“I don’t believe that at any point - maybe Suzuka - that Red Bull have been miles ahead of the opposition.

“They’ve just been more consistent. That RB19 has performed at every race track, whereas everyone else has been up and down like a yo-yo.”

Mercedes are currently battling to secure P2 in the constructors championship over Ferrari, who trail them by 20 points heading into the final two races of the season in Las Vegas and Abu Dhabi.

Silver Arrows driver Lewis Hamilton faces a similar fight, as he attempts to overtake Sergio Perez in the last two races and secure his place as runner-up to Verstappen.

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