GPFans Exclusive

EXCLUSIVE: F1 champion insists Red Bull NOT responsible for 2023 success

Jim Kimberley Thursday 7 March 2024 13:15

EXCLUSIVE: F1 champion insists Red Bull NOT responsible for 2023 success

GPFans sprak voor dit artikel exclusief met de betrokkenen

Max Verstappen already looks set to add another championship title to the three crowns he has, and that's thanks to the level of driving the Dutchman achieves - not Red Bull's car - according to Jacques Villeneuve.

Speaking exclusively to GPFans, the 1997 world champion explained that although the title-winning RB19 was an impressive machine, Verstappen made all the difference.

"Even though they won almost every race," begins Villeneuve, "It was by a small margin.

"They didn't have a two-second lead. They didn't have the gap we had in '96 with Williams.

"They didn't have the gap that McLaren had in '98 when just disappeared in the distance.

"Verstappen made the difference last year, not Red Bull."

Max Verstappen started 2024 winning in Bahrain

Why Verstappen is No.1

The question the F1 world is asking is whether that performance level will increase in 2024.

It's something that Villeneuve finds hard to believe considering how incredible the Dutch driver has been in his years of domination. The Canadian added: "It would be difficult to better Verstappen, you know?"

"Right now, it's hard to imagine him going faster and being on top form every race like he's doing now.

"I can't imagine a better Verstappen than what we've had the last two years.

"It's really difficult to imagine."

Red Bull Max Verstappen McLaren Christian Horner Bahrain Jacques Villeneuve

Latest News

F1 Social

F1 fans uncover GENIUS way to watch Las Vegas Grand Prix for FREE

12 minutes ago

Daniel Ricciardo

Ricciardo teases F1 fans in Las Vegas with EXCITING announcement

1 hour ago

Red Bull

Horner issues DESPERATE Perez plea with damning Red Bull statement

1 hour ago

Las Vegas Grand Prix

How can Verstappen win the world title at the Las Vegas GP?

2 hours ago

F1 Today

F1 News Today: Team-mates collide as Hamilton BLAME emerges at Las Vegas Grand Prix

3 hours ago

Las Vegas Grand Prix

F1 Race Today: Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024 start time, TV channel and live stream

Today 18:59

More news

F1 Race Calendar 2024

GP AUSTRIA 28 - 30 Jun

George Russell

GP GREAT BRITAIN 5 - 7 Jul

Lewis Hamilton

GP HUNGARY 19 - 21 Jul

Oscar Piastri

GP BELGIUM 26 - 28 Jul

Lewis Hamilton

GP NETHERLANDS 23 - 25 Aug

Lando Norris

GP ITALY 30 Aug - 1 Sep

Charles Leclerc

GP AZERBAIJAN 13 - 15 Sep

Oscar Piastri

GP SINGAPORE 20 - 22 Sep

Lando Norris

GP USA 18 - 20 Oct

Charles Leclerc

GP MEXICO 25 - 27 Oct

GP QATAR 29 Nov - 1 Dec

GP ABU DHABI 6 - 8 Dec

Complete kalender 2024

F1 News 24/7

Races

About GPFans

GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.

We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.

With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.

Follow us on your favorite social media channel

Corporate & Media

Innovatieweg 20C
7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY