F1 star admits 'whole wide world' concern over Red Bull

Sergio Perez platica con Max Verstappen en Bahréin — Photo: © IMAGO

F1 News & Gossip

F1 star admits 'whole wide world' concern over Red Bull

The Red Bull team have been a hot topic for several months now

Originally written by Cal Gaunt. This version is a translation.

Thursday 21 March 2024 01:00

Valtteri Bottas has admitted that he has some concerns after the first two races of the 2024 Formula 1 season.

Max Verstappen won the opening pair of Saturday races, with team-mate Sergio Perez following him home in second place on both occasions.

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With Perez closely trailing his team-mate in a one-two finish at both races, Bottas is apprehensive about the upcoming Australian Grand Prix.

Verstappen's potential to match his own win-streak record only adds to the anxiety, having secured nine consecutive victories since the 2023 Japanese GP.

Max Verstappen has comfortably won the opening two races of 2024

Valtteri Bottas is concerned by Red Bull's dominance

Bottas: Let's hope things change

“Obviously, it doesn’t change our focus and our battles on track. But for the whole wide world, it could be a bit like last year. But let’s hope things change during the year.”

No drivers or teams have managed to get close to Red Bull so far this season

Verstappen dominated the 2024 Bahrain GP, winning from pole with a 22.457-second lead over Perez. Ferrari's Carlos Sainz took P3, trailing by 25.110s, with Charles Leclerc in P4, 14.559s behind.

A week later at the Saudi Arabian GP, Leclerc was the top non-Red Bull driver in P3, 18.639s behind Verstappen. McLaren's Oscar Piastri followed in P4, 13.368s further back, while Perez, even with a five-second penalty, finished P2, 13.643s behind Verstappen.

Red Bull Max Verstappen Australian Grand Prix Valtteri Bottas ESPN