Tost predicts: 'Threeway battle for the title next year'

Already four races before the end of the season, Verstappen managed to claim the title. One race later, Red Bull Racing also took the constructors' title. So although there was still plenty for the other teams and drivers to win or lose, the main battle was already long fought. Quite a difference from 2021, when both championships were only decided on the last lap of the final race.

'I expect a three-way battle next year'

According to Tost, however, this does not necessarily mean that we are now entering the era of Red Bull dominance. Although Red Bull had its act together this year, the team was also helped somewhat by the competition. Ferrari made the necessary strategic mistakes and Mercedes needed almost the entire season to become really dangerous. If both teams manage to improve their situations it could be a lot more exciting next year, especially with Red Bull getting less time in the wind tunnel due to the budget cap violation.

"Such superiority as shown by Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing this year is quite rare," warns Tost. "I expect a three-way battle next year between Max, Charles Leclerc and George Russell, who is already stronger than Lewis Hamilton. The FIA penalty will undoubtedly have a negative impact on Red Bull Racing, even though the team has some of the best engineers. But I am confident that Red Bull Racing can compete for the world title again."