Will Verstappen lap the entire F1 grid at the Spanish Grand Prix?

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3 June 2023 by    2 min read
 3

Jun.3 - Max Verstappen looks set to utterly dominate this weekend's Spanish GP.

Ferrari has newly-shaped sidepods and various other developments in Barcelona, Mercedes is again running its 'B' car, and even Aston Martin has new front and rear wings.

And yet championship leader Verstappen's Red Bull was easily fastest in FP1 on Friday, with the gap then shrinking to just under 2 tenths in the afternoon.

"Fuel-adjusted, Ferrari, Aston Martin and we are very close together in the race simulation. Alpine is a little behind that," a Mercedes source said.

"And Max is driving on his own planet."

Germany's Auto Motor und Sport even speculates that reigning back-to-back world champion Verstappen could lap the entire field on Sunday - including his teammate Sergio Pérez.

"I felt comfortable," the 25-year-old told Sky Italia after Friday's proceedings.

"I didn't look at what times the others did - I don't need to."

Indeed, Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko said the team's confidence is higher this weekend than it has been at any other point in the season so far.

"On his best lap, Max made a small mistake and in the last sector he ran out of battery power," he said. "Otherwise he would be further ahead."

As for what race strategy Verstappen will run for the Spanish GP, Marko added: "We have the ability to adapt our strategy to the others."

However, he says Red Bull isn't claiming all the credit for the situation, explaining that while Friday was a better day for Perez compared to Monaco, "he was not able to set consistent laptimes".

"Yes, we have a very good car," said Marko. "But we also have Verstappen, a talent of the century. His tyre management is outstanding. He drives the fastest laps and still protects his tyres better than the others."

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3 F1 Fan comments on “Will Verstappen lap the entire F1 grid at the Spanish Grand Prix?”

  1. Jere Jyrälä

    Definitely, not, lol. He would've have lapped Checo even in Monaco had he started towards the front.
    Everyone up to maybe Alpines & or Stroll.

  2. smokey

    There is no doubt that, barring unusual mechanical maladies, Max will be on the top step at the chequered flag, and will probably get the extra point for fastest lap as well! However, there is not doubt that he won't be able to lap the entire field. There is no way Max will put Fernando a lap behind, and the Ferrari's will stay on the lead lap also! I am tipping Ocon to spring another surprise result at Barcelona. He is really driving well.


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