Former Formula 1 driver, Martin Brundle, has predicted several seasons of dominance from Max Verstappen barring some herculean efforts from Mercedes and Ferrari.
Despite suffering two reliability failures in the opening three rounds of the 2022 season, Verstappen won 15 races on his way to a comfortable championship success this season.
The Dutchman wrapped up his second consecutive title at the Japanese Grand Prix with four races to go, contrary to last season’s dramatic finale against Lewis Hamilton in Abu Dhabi.
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While Ferrari’s challenge capitulated – the Scuderia failing to convert nine of their 12 pole positions – and Mercedes languished behind for much of the year, Verstappen and Red Bull established dominance over both championships, Sergio Perez adding wins in Monaco and Singapore.
The cherry was placed on Verstappen’s 2022 cake after an excellent win at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix last weekend, and Brundle praised an “immense” season by driver and team.
“It was a season dominated by Verstappen and Red Bull,” he said in his Sky Sports column.
“Points wise Max finished the equivalent of well over five GP victories ahead of Leclerc in second place, and Red Bull well over four victories ahead of Ferrari.
“A tale of numerous pole positions and victories along clever strategies, fast pit stops and strong reliability. Congratulations to them all at the track and in the factories, it was immense.”
There have been audible boos for Verstappen at some races this year amid the controversy of last year’s title finish and the cost cap saga that emerged in the second half of this term.
More discontentment among the fans could be heard after the finale at the Yas Marina Circuit, from which Brundle took no pleasure upon hearing it.
“I was very sad to hear some boos for Max at the end, we have experienced that before for the likes of Schumacher, Vettel, Nico Rosberg and others over the decades for various reasons when fans get a strong feeling about something which has or indeed hasn’t happened,” he added.
“Red Bull and Team Verstappen could perhaps have played smarter hands in Mexico and Brazil and over the cost cap, but nothing can take away from their utterly dominant performance this season.”
The former racer turned commentator hopes to see more teams at the front next season, but reckons Verstappen’s period of dominance could continue a while longer.
“Max in particular is at a level which will take some serious beating in the next few seasons,” explained Brundle.
“Hopefully Ferrari and Mercedes can close the gap, and drag the likes of McLaren, Alpine and Aston Martin along with them for a closer championship in 2023.”
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