(Motorsports News) During the first six races of the 2023 F1 season, it has become evident that Max Verstappen, Sergio Pérez, and Red Bull are leading the pack. The RB19 has proven to be unbeatable on the track, with one of Red Bull’s drivers securing victory in each of the five races so far. Verstappen’s win in Miami, accompanied by Perez’s second-place finish, resulted in Red Bull claiming the front row in four out of the six races. Only Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso managed to interrupt this streak, with Hamilton finishing second in the Australian Grand Prix and Alonso securing second place in Monaco.

One of the most predictable outcomes occurred three weeks ago in Miami. In a remarkable display, Verstappen surged through the ranks from ninth position, making significant progress and reaching second place by Lap 15. With Verstappen on hard tires and Pérez on mediums, it was only a matter of time before Pérez would need to pit, allowing Verstappen to take the lead. Once in front, the defending Drivers’ champion pulled away, consistently setting incredibly fast lap times on tires that should have been deteriorating. Astonishingly, on Lap 35 and with tires that had completed 35 laps, Verstappen recorded the fastest lap of the race.

Despite the impending pit stop for Verstappen, he emerged from the pit lane only 1.6 seconds behind his teammate Pérez, who was in second place. It was clear to everyone present at Hard Rock Stadium or watching from home what was about to happen.

Pérez was unable to withstand  Max Verstappen’s charge even for a single lap. While Verstappen’s performance in Miami was impressive, his weekend in Monaco showcased an even more remarkable display of skill.

It all started with the qualifying session on Saturday. In Monaco, qualifying holds significant importance as overtaking is nearly impossible during the Grand Prix. To have a strong chance of winning, starting near the front of the grid is crucial.

As the third and final qualifying session neared its end, Fernando Alonso had secured the provisional pole position, seemingly set to start at the front on Sunday. Verstappen had one last qualifying run left but was trailing Alonso’s time in the first two sectors. Only the final sector, which consisted of seven turns out of the track’s total 19, remained.

Against the odds, Max Verstappen managed to pull off an incredible feat in that final sector. Verstappen’s performance in Monaco was as exceptional as his previous race in Miami. Despite the challenging conditions and fierce competition, Verstappen showcased his prowess and claimed his second victory in Monaco. Starting with the pole position, he demonstrated his dominance throughout the weekend.

As fans, we appreciate intense competition and thrilling moments in sports. We relish the decisive home run, the game-winning drive, or the buzzer-beating three-pointer. However, there is a unique beauty in witnessing Red Bull’s exceptional form this season, with both Pérez and Verstappen showcasing their talent.

Since pre-season testing, the RB19 has been consistently exceptional, living up to the high expectations placed upon it before the Bahrain Grand Prix. Red Bull has shown unwavering strength, securing six wins in six races, achieving double podium finishes in four of those races, and establishing a commanding lead in the Constructors’ Championship.

Pérez deserves considerable praise for his performances, particularly as he has turned the Drivers’ Championship into a fierce battle. With victories in Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan, he has positioned himself closely behind his teammate in the standings. Despite a forgettable weekend in Monaco, Pérez still has a chance to stay in the fight.

Nevertheless, Verstappen’s excellence surpasses expectations. Even when compared to the remarkable skills of Pérez, Verstappen shines even brighter. When discussing two of the world’s best drivers, every slight advantage matters.

Verstappen’s ability to swiftly advance from P9 to P1 in Miami or from P15 to P2 in Melbourne resembles the power of Thanos snapping his fingers. While this predictability might not make for the most dramatic television, there is beauty in witnessing such dominance and execution. Every time Verstappen engages DRS or takes a daring turn, we anticipate something magical, much like when Alex Ovechkin or Connor McDavid touches the puck, Patrick Mahomes drops back, or Tiger Woods tees it up.

While we cherish competition, we should equally appreciate greatness. And that is precisely what we are witnessing now. Every race offers battles throughout the grid, allowing us to enjoy overtakes, strategic decisions, and the ensuing consequences. Miami, for example, witnessed thrilling battles between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, as well as Leclerc and Kevin Magnussen.

In Monaco, although most of the Grand Prix fights occurred at the back of the field due to the tight and challenging nature of the Monte Carlo streets, the qualifying session came down to the wire, resulting in an intense competition between Verstappen, Alonso, and Esteban Ocon.

There are captivating battles to be found across the grid that we can relish. However, the dominance displayed by Verstappen and Red Bull at the front is currently undeniable, and we can also appreciate that. It is important to recognize that such dominance does not last forever.

Just ask Toto Wolff, the Team Principal of Mercedes. Once upon a time, Mercedes was the dominant force in the sport, with Hamilton reigning as the world’s best driver, winning four consecutive titles and six out of seven championships from 2014 to 2020. This supremacy forced the rest of the field to chase the Silver Arrows. When Verstappen and Red Bull narrowed the gap, it set the stage for one of the most memorable title fights in recent years, which came down to the final lap of the season.

“F1 is a meritocracy,” stated Wolff after the Monaco Grand Prix. “It’s sport, whether it is good for the show or not. Obviously, a strong fight between ten drivers, or at least two, is much better for all of us, but it is not happening, so you have to just accept that and work to get back there.”

Innovation stems from success, improvement arises from competition, and competitors find a way to rejoin the battle. However, until that happens, Verstappen is likely to continue leading the pack, showcasing his dominant performances week after week.

We should cherish and value this exceptional display of talent while it endures—a competitor at the pinnacle of their abilities. Yet, we must acknowledge that this state of affairs will not be everlasting.

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