Why Max Verstappen and Red Bull are lean and mean for 2023
Why Max Verstappen and Red Bull are lean and mean for 2023
Max Verstappen has revealed that he and Red Bull are leaner and meaner than ever heading into the 2023 F1 season.
The Dutchman was utterly dominant in 2022, winning a record 15 Grands Prix as he romped to a second consecutive Drivers' Championship.
After that triumph though Verstappen admits he allowed himself a month to fully enjoy the fruits of that success. As a consequence he gained around 10 kilos during the sport's winter break.
READ MORE: 'Christian Horner LOLs at Wolff and Mercedes demise
Now though the 25-year-old is back at his fighting weight of 74 kilos after an excellent three days of pre-season testing in Bahrain. He returns to Sakhir on Sunday for the season-opening Bahrain GP.
Verstappen back at his fighting weight
He told De Telegraaf: "I feel like I'm below my normal weight all year round. I then give myself a month to eat and drink what I want and enjoy myself a bit. It feels good to me this way.
"Some like it better to be consistent throughout the year, in that regard. I actually like not thinking about training for a month and then going full throttle again in January. To lose weight and also to get completely fit again. It's nice to hurt myself a little bit."
While Verstappen is back at his perfect number, his car for 2023 is also coming in lighter this year.
He explained: "That car was even more overweight than the kilos I gained in December. So that's quite a bit.
"It has been very positive for us. The balance of the car was right from the start. That allowed us to start trying things right away in terms of the set-up. You learn a lot of things that way.
"The year starts easier than last season, because the whole car when was new. But you have to make sure you take a step now and we certainly did."
READ MORE: 'Ferrari are F1' - how Caitlyn Jenner floored Horner
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Ferrari announce DRASTIC change as Verstappen issues dire warning to bosses - GPFans F1 Recap
- 2 hours ago
Hamilton sends strong message over Gaza deaths
- 3 hours ago
F1 giants announce name change with IMMEDIATE effect
- Yesterday 21:57
Horner admits Red Bull at MAJOR disadvantage with new rules
- Yesterday 20:57
Horner reveals 'unhuman' Verstappen secret
- Yesterday 19:57
Sainz manager speaks out on 'game playing' over contract
- Yesterday 18:57
Related news
Horner reveals 'unhuman' Verstappen secret
Stats show SURPRISE F1 team dominate in crucial category
Schumacher reveals what F1 pundits are NOT allowed to say about Red Bull
Verstappen issues MAYHEM warning to F1 bosses
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860