Verstappen: 'Really confident, but in the end it makes little difference'

Max Verstappen starts the Bahrain Grand Prix with Red Bull Racing as the clear-cut favourite, but the reigning world champion remains somewhat cautious in his expectations. Nevertheless, he goes into the new Formula 1 season with more confidence than ever.

That Verstappen starts the 2023 season as the big favourite may be clear, but a third world title in a row is anything but a certainty for now. "Unfortunately it doesn't work like that," the Red Bull driver says in conversation with Viaplay. "In any case, we did have a positive pre-season test and that is always very nice, but now of course we have to show it."

Verstappen is confident

Due to the rock-solid 2022 season, combined with the successful winter test in February, Verstappen starts the new season with a lot of confidence. Has he ever started a season with such confidence? "In Formula 1, I don't think so," replies the 25-year-old Dutchman. "But in the end, it doesn't matter as much if you have a lot of confidence, you just have to bring out the potential during the race."

Clear language from Verstappen, for whom Friday in Bahrain did not go perfectly. Nevertheless, the two-time world champion left with a positive feeling from the first two sessions of the weekend. The long run in particular looked good for Red Bull Racing, although the team is likely to face competition from Fernando Alonso.