Even if Red Bull clearly dominated the Formula 1 season opener, Jenson Button does not believe that defending the title will be a sure-fire success for Max Verstappen.
Today’s TV pundit Jenson Button believes the 2023 Formula 1 season will not be a ‘walk’ for Max Verstappen and Red Bull despite the dominant win in Bahrain. The 2009 World Champion knows that the balance of power on other tracks could change over the course of the still young season.
Although he says: “It looked like a relatively easy race, especially for Max.” But he considers those who already see Verstappen with the title to be premature. “I know that many drivers have said that it will be an easy championship for Red Bull and Max. But how can you say that? We only tested on one track, we only drove on one track,” emphasizes Button .
“And we all know that Bahrain is very unique in the way the cars work there. It’s a track with heavy braking phases, it’s about traction and not so much high speeds. So we can’t say that .”
Jenson Button found the first race “action-packed”
“I think that after Saudi Arabia, which is a rather fast track, we will understand a little more,” he looks ahead. “And also when we drive in Europe.”
But it will definitely be “no walk in the park for Red Bull and Max,” the expert continued. “It’s a great start to the season and very different from last year. But I think we’re going to have some very, very close battles.”
So I don’t think it will be an easy win for Red Bull and Max. But I liked the first race. I found it action packed and that’s what I want. He describes the fight between Fernando Alonso in the Aston Martin and Lewis Hamilton in the Mercedes as a special highlight.
“I loved the action, there was so much going on. To see the two world champions Lewis and Fernando dueling wheel to wheel, that was something special.” Button himself has just been confirmed for three NASCAR races this year. When asked what F1 could learn from the US racing series, he suggested that stage points could be an interesting option while praising F1’s willingness to evolve.
Jenson Button: Formula 1 could learn that from NASCAR
I think the great thing about Formula 1 is that it’s very open to change,” says the Briton. “We have the sprint races, which I think work very well. Not everyone will be happy when you change a sport that has stayed the same for so long. But I like this change.”
“In NASCAR there are stage points during the race. That could make it interesting because it depends on when you come to the pits to change tires,” the ex-world champion brings in as a possible idea for Formula 1.
“If you get points at certain stages of the race, like lap 20, lap 40 and at the end of the race, that might change strategies, who knows?”
Overall, however, he sees the premier class “in a great position”. He is happy with where she is. “As long as we’re willing to change something here and there if we think it’s necessary and try it and not be afraid,” said Button.