Max Verstappen is not bothered about how RB19 looks as he adds on the competition going into 2023 F1 season.
The 2022 F1 champions presented their 2023 livery in a special launch done in New York, largely retaining its corporate colours. But it didn’t present its actual RB19 as they have done in the past, with the raw car only seen in a shakedown and or pre-season test.
For reigning champion Verstappen, he has driven the new car on the simulator but he hasn’t seen full pictures as he not too bothered about those things in general. “We work hard as a team to try and make sure that we have a chance to fight for it again but only time will tell, right?,” he said at the launch.
“I’m not even thinking about these things at the moment – because it’s more important to focus on just having a competitive car, and if we have a competitive car these things can happen. But it’s more important to make sure the car is running well, has no issues, and is quick at the end of the day.
“To be honest, I haven’t seen it. I’ve only spoken about the performance upgrades in terms of lap time of the car – but I haven’t seen any pictures or renders. I’m not interested in these kinds of things; I only want a fast car, and it doesn’t matter how it looks like to me,” summed up Verstappen.
While the work at Red Bull continues on, Verstappen is wary of the competition as well especially with Mercedes and Ferrari, who he reckons will be quick. “I think even at the end of the year it looked like sometimes Mercedes had it together, and sometimes not,” he said. “So, from my side, it’s difficult to say because I’m not part of the team, but I guess we’ll find out this year. If they fully understand everything they wanted to improve on the car, of course, they will be our main rival.
“But I think Ferrari will be strong – but how strong is difficult to say. But Mercedes have shown of course over the last few years that they’ve been really, really, really strong, but they have a good group of people as well. But I trust in my people at Milton Keynes that they can build a very strong car together with an engine as well. I hope that we again have a strong package against them,” summed up Verstappen.
Here’s Red Bull on their livery contest
Here’s Red Bull 2023 livery
Here’s Christian Horner on Daniel Ricciardo’s role
Here’s Red Bull appreciating Alexander Albon
Here’s Max Verstappen confident of Red Bull success despite penalty
Here’s Christian Horner on communication being key for drivers
Here’s Paul Monaghan on Max Verstappen being technically gifted
