Villeneuve compliments Red Bull: 'Not like Mercedes before'

Three Grands Prix have been held in the 2023 season, just as many times a Red Bull Racing driver has stood on the top step of the podium. Over the past two seasons, the team of Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez has been dominant in Baku, possibly followed by a third victory in a row at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Sunday.

Jacques Villeneuve, the 1997 Formula One world champion, expects Red Bull again to be the team to beat in Baku. "It's hard to not put your money on the Red Bull", said the Canadian in an exclusive interview with GPblog. "They have everything right now. They normally don't make mistakes. They are always, always a favourite."

A team winning every race, similar to the period when Mercedes held Formula 1 in an iron grip. The outside world may think the sport is becoming boring and predictable. Villeneuve absolutely disagrees. "No, because they are not a favourite the same way Mercedes was when they were second lap ahead of everyone and they weren't even pushing", believes the driver, who currently drives a Vanwall Racing hypercar in the World Endurance Championship.

"They [Red Bull] are actually pushing. They are not backing off. They are not lifting off when they have a little lead. And their position is not that far off. A little mistake, a little problem on race weekend and they are not leading anymore. It's not that dull", Villeneuve told this website.