Red Bull Racing’s performance in the Abu Dhabi GP will have mightily pleased the team’s fans. The competitive race pace from the Austrian outfit was enough to keep Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas at bay.
It stimulated discussion among F1 fans of whether Red Bull could finally come close to Mercedes next year. But much will hinge on how Red Bull actually start the season. And whether they can keep up the consistency in a packed 23-races season.
Regardless, Mercedes have been warned now and will get wary of the challenge their nearest rivals could pose. But Hamilton, for one, relishes the prospect of battling them the next year.
Lewis Hamilton is ‘excited’ for the challenge from Red Bull Racing
Hamilton stated, “We’ve obviously got a fight on our hands next year. Without a doubt, these guys are going to be strong, as this car [Verstappen] is driving now is next year’s car pretty much, and the same for us.”
Verstappen finely imprinted his dominance at the Yas Marina Circuit, delivering a performance that Hamilton usually does. The Dutchman finished 15 seconds in front of Bottas, crossing the checkered flag. And proved to be a comfortable race winner in the end.
“I’m excited for that challenge, and that battle that we hopefully will get,” concluded Hamilton on the subject.
Red Bull may have won the battle, but will Mercedes win the war?
Despite Red Bull’s brilliance, one should not forget the sheer consistency with which Mercedes have raced this season. Barring the two occasions of Stroll and Verstappen, they have secured pole position every other time.
Even during the races, the power Mercedes generates becomes tough for the others to catch up with. Considering much of this year’s cars will get carried over to the next, Mercedes still possess the biggest threat.
That said, every F1 viewer would love to see a genuine title race that goes down to the wire between Mercedes and Red Bull. And if what the latter showed at Abu Dhabi can continue in 2021, it is hard to see the defending champions win titles in the dominant fashion.
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