Will Red Bull dominate again?

Red Bull’s unbeaten streak in F1 2023 finally ended at the Singapore Grand Prix as 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Max Verstappen only finished fifth

Had the 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Safety Car timing been kinder, Verstappen could have challenged for the podium at least, but it wa🍬sn’t to be.

It’s widely accepted tha🌺t Red Bull’s downturn in form was due to Singapore’s unique🍃 characteristics, rather than the technical directive linked to flexible bodywork.

The FIA issued a n𒉰ew technical directive that came into effect in Singapore, looking to stamp out flexible aerodynamic bodywork amid concerns some teams may have been bending the rules.

With Red Bull suddenly struggling, many were quick to suggest that the aforementioned directive was the reason for the RB19 looking uncompetitive forꩵ the first time this year.

Team boss Christꩲian Horner was adamant it had no impact on Red Bu♊ll.

“It's all engineering stuff. There's 🔯no silver bullet in this business,” he said. 

“I know all of🐬 you would love to blame the TD, but unfortun꧋ately we can't even blame that, because it's not changed a single component on our car.”  

Plus, Verstappen dismissed fears that Red Bull’s season will be curtailed by the TD, confident he will be right back at the front at Suzu♒ka this weekend.

“No. 🃏I think we will be quick at Suzuka. It’s not my problem what their worries are,” Ver꧑stappen added.

Even in Mercedes’ period of dominance, Singapore𒀰 tended to be a circuit where they struggled relative to the opposition - even in 2014 and𝓰 2015, when they won nearly every race.

Perhaps it’s similar for Red Bull gi💝ven the unique naturꦅe of the Marina Bay Street Circuit, and the fact they expected to struggle ahead of the weekend.

Of course, if Red Bull struggle once again - or at least aren’t as dominant at Suzuka - perhaps ther🌞e will be even more questions about the technical directive and its impact.

Why McLaren should be second-best

McLaren should fancy their chances of♍ being the second-best team at Suzuka.

High-speed corners 𓃲are a key strength of this year’s McLaren, with Suzuka renowned for his fast esses. 

McLaren’s latest upgrade package seems to have moved them clo𓆉ser to the front, particularly in low-speed corners which continue to be a key weaknesཧs.

168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Lando Norris fee🅘ls the 🔥new update is a step forward, although the same inherent issues remain.

“So you're still complaꦿining of the same things and same issues, it's just you're probably going a litt🔯le bit quicker while doing so,” Norris said in Singapore.

“And for sure it had taken a good step forward, which is reassuring for here and the rest of the season. So yes, positive from all of that🐟.”

On paper, Suzuka should suit McLaren, particularly the first sector, while Ferrari have struggled at tracks with lon𝐆ger radius corners and maintaining the aero balance through them.

Regardless, it should be anotꦯher intriguing battle behind Red Bull.

Aston Martin’s Stroll problem

168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Lance Stroll’s nightmღare season continued in Singapore with an amateur shunt at the end of Q1.

Stroll was 0.3s down on 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Valtteri Bottas, who was 15th at the time the Canadian crossꦓed the second sector split - so realistic♛ally had no chance of making it through to Q2.

The 24-year-old lost control of his car at t𓃲he final corner, clattering into the barriers in violent fashion.

Stroll was unable t𒅌o take part in the race after Aston Martin revealed he was still “sore” after the crash.

Teammate 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Fernando Alonso endured a difficult afternoon as Aston Martin failed to sꦛcore points for the first time this year.

It means they’ve fallen even further behind Mercedes and Ferrari, while McLaren are fast approaching in thꦯe race for fourth.

Given how they started the year, finis𒅌hing fifth in the constructors’ ch📖ampionship - behind McLaren - would be incredibly disappointing.

While their 🐭form has dropped off, the main reason they’re under threat for fourth in the first place is Stroll’s performances.

Stroll has 123 fewer points than his teammate and is set to fall behind the Alpine drivers in t🌠he championship.

To make matters worse, team principal Mike Krack is coming up with new and unique ways to defend Stroll, claiming his c🧸rash in Q1 was clear eviden💃ce of his “commitment” to F1.

While Stroll’s F1 future is secure for now, surely patience among sections of the team is running out, particularly as his lack of form could result in a lower championship finish and le🍌ss prize money, and then potentially a smaller bonus for team staff.

Last chance for Lawson?

This weekend could be the last time we see 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Liam Lawson in F1 machinery until 2025.

Lawson has been one of the surprises of the year since stepping in for the injured 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Daniel Ricciardo at Zandvoort.

The Kimi has been calm, assured and nಌever over awed by the F1 experience.

Lawson picked up AlphaTauri’s best result of the season so far withꦺ ninth in Siܫngapore.

But it seems his per🧜formances aren’t enough to tempt Helmut Marko and Red Bull into giving him a ful🔥l-time drive for next year.

If the reports are to be believed, 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Yuki Tsunoda’s new deal will be announced at Suzuka, while Ric🃏ciardo is likely to stay for 2024.

Williams also have a seat available, and given 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Logan Sargeant’s underperformance, Lawson would be the p🦩erꦡfect fit.