SirBastianVettel wrote: ↑22 Feb 2023, 11:05
avantman wrote: ↑22 Feb 2023, 11:03
World Constructors Champion: Ferrari
Most Pole Positions: Verstappen
You think Ferrari to have lost their one lap ultimate performance advantage over Red Bull?
Not exactly like that. I think Ferrari will hold their advantage on medium-high, high downforce tracks, but it will be closer on all others, close enough for Verstappen to make difference. As I believe he is in fact the best and the most consistent qualifier on the grid, having a car exactly to his liking. Previous car didn't suit him well enough(in qualyfing conditions especially), which will change significantly this year with the new improved car and new Pirelli front tyres. If you actually analyze previous season qualifying performances a bit closer, it was Verstappen who should've scored more poles that anyone else on the grid, with the car, which, as you said, was a bit slower on average over a single lap. Verstappen was the fastest in Silverstone, Spa and Singapore, but was unlucky on those occasions. He should've had 10 Poles vs 8 Poles of Charles.