Is Red Bull Racing facing a new era of dominance?
Oct.26 - A "new era" of dominance is shaping up in Formula 1, according to former driver Ralf Schumacher.
He is talking about Red Bull, and the fact that new back-to-back world champion Max Verstappen now appears poised to dominate the current rules era - perhaps all the way to 2025.
Ferrari's Charles Leclerc hopes not. "I will do everything for it to not happen and we are working as a team for it to not happen obviously," he said after Austin.
Lewis Hamilton in the Mercedes W13 still in the lead of Max Verstappen with the Red Bull RB18 during the 2022 USA F1 GP
Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton, a seven time world champion, answered to the same question: "If we get into next year and they're dominating again, then yes.
"But the Ferraris have been quicker than them throughout qualifying, so all they need to do is pick up their race pace and they'll be right with them.
"I think we've got a much, much bigger step and steeper hill to climb, but hopefully not impossible."
Ralf Schumacher, however, thinks that given Red Bull's momentum and the constraints of the budget cap era, the energy drink owned team could now utterly dominate.
"Now Red Bull can shape a new era," he told Sky Deutschland.
"That's a bit of a problem in Formula 1, because once the lead is there with the cost cap also in place, it's difficult for the other teams to catch up again.
"But I have hope that Ferrari can make life much more difficult for Red Bull next year and Mercedes is also on the rise again. But in 2023, Red Bull will definitely be the team to beat."
2016 world champion Nico Rosberg agrees that it will "definitely" be "very difficult for any other team to get close to" Red Bull in the near future.
One hope for Red Bull's rivals is that the penalty for breaching the 2021 budget cap is severe enough to dent the momentum.
"I think there is already a deal between Red Bull and the FIA and it will be presented on Wednesday or Thursday," correspondent Erik van Haren told De Telegraaf.
"I expect a fine and a reduction in wind tunnel time for next season. That is quite a punishment for them, as the constructors' champion already has the least time in the wind tunnel, so with a penalty on top of that it can be a big disadvantage."
As for Aston Martin, having been found in 'procedural' breach of the budget cap, team boss Mike Krack said he expects a resolution "in the next few days".
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Well, if Red Bull is "facing" an era of dominance, so far, they seem to be baring that burden with grace and dignity.
Damn misprints againnnn, It should read Rbs 2nd period of dominance, No no, don't thank me, just doing my bit to wind up the girls in silver.
This one is more like the Schumacher/Ferrari era dominance. Shrop' you're the rumour monger, anything on changes in RB without Mr. M?
Well, one thing i didn't know Mr M passed away from Pancreatic cancer , 2nd , he has one son whose 32yr, and a financier/money man. I suspect hell not be involved in the f1 side of things, there is a rumour which came to me via a Rb mechanic, that Toto was seen handing his C.V in at the Rb motorhome, it would therefore seem that Toto is looking to run the RB empire, it seems he has on his C.V as a skillset (insider knowledge at the Fia), personally I cant see the Doc standing for this, financially, nothing should change, succession planning inc financial planning will already be in place.
There's a funeral to organize, who will attend, pall bearers, its all up for grabs
Emmm well last year was due to human error as well as breaking the rule on budget, this year they had the advantage of last years rule breaking.
So what of next year, until they stop cheating, Zak Browns words, there can be no dominance.
Only time will tell.
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