BAHRAIN — Max Verstappen’s rivals already know he will probably be world champion in 2024 in response to Fernando Alonso, who mentioned Purple Bull’s present superiority completely sums up the “brutal” nature of Components One.

Verstappen gained a document 18 grand prix victories in 2023 to say a 3rd straight championship.

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General, Purple Bull gained 21 out of twenty-two races, and the consensus at preseason testing is that they have taken one other step ahead with their new automotive.

Alonso is probably one of many nice examples of how F1 operates in eras and the way drivers should each have the expertise to win a title and discover themselves in the best place on the proper time.

Alonso gained the championship in 2005 and 2006 and is taken into account among the best drivers on the grid, however his final grand prix win got here in 2013.

“I haven’t got a crystal ball to know what the others are doing,” Alonso mentioned.

“Max is the world champion and Purple Bull is dominating the game. Additionally, the idea that they introduced this 12 months, it is also a shock.

“In the meanwhile, we simply have to look at them and see how they carry out. I believe 19 drivers within the paddock now will assume that [they] is not going to win the championship.

“It occurs 99% of the time in your profession. It is a brutal sport.”

On Friday, reigning world champion Max Verstappen mentioned his new Purple Bull automotive has taken a clear step ahead from final 12 months.

The ultimate day of testing ought to give a sign of how far forward Purple Bull are — estimates by rival groups within the paddock place the benefit round half a second per lap, a substantial margin in trendy F1

Earlier than Purple Bull’s streak, Lewis Hamilton gained six championships with Mercedes between 2014 and 2020, with former teammate Nico Rosberg profitable the opposite in 2016.

Purple Bull had dominated the period earlier than that, with Sebastian Vettel profitable 4 straight championships.