Button: 2023 season won't be 'a walk in the park' for Verstappen

Jenson Button says Max Verstappen and Red Bull enjoyed a great start to their 2023 season in Bahrain but the 2009 F1 world champion isn't expecting this year's campaign to be "a walk in the park" for the Milton Keynes-based outfit and its star driver.

Verstappen was out of reach of his main rivals, including Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez, last weekend at Sakhir where the Dutchman indulged in a trouble-free  lights-to-flag win.

Despite Red Bull's dominance, Button said that he was entertained by the action on the track and was happy to see his two fellow world champions and former teammates – Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso – "go at it" in the event.

"It looked like a relatively easy race, especially for Max," said Button, who will make his NASCAR debut later this month at COTA.

"But I have to say, forgetting who won the race, it was a great race. It was too easy for Max, yes, it was. But the race itself was great.

"I loved the action, there was so much action. To see to multiple world champions going at it, Lewis and Fernando, it was pretty special."

Red Bull and Verstappen's hegemony in Bahrain encouraged many after the race, including Mercedes charger George Russell, to claim that the 2023 championship had already been signed and sealed.

But Button disagrees, insisting that Bahrain's specific characteristics catered to the qualities of Red Bull's RB19 and that the latter will be put to the test at a very different type of track next week in Saudi Arabia.

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"I know that a lot of drivers have said, well, it's going to be an easy championship for Red Bull and Max," Button said, quoted by Motorsport.com. "But how can you say that? We've only tested at one track, we've only raced at one track.

"And we all know that Bahrain is very unique in the way that the cars work there. It's a heavy braking, traction circuit, it's not so much about high-speed. So we can't say that."

Button suggests taking stock of the field's performance in a few races to get a clearer idea of the championship's direction.

"I think we'll understand a bit more after Saudi, which is more of a fast-flowing track. And also when we get the European races.

"So no, it's not a walk in the park for Red Bull and Max. It's a great start to the season, and very different to what they had last year. But I still think we're going to have some very, very close fights.

"And I don't think it's going to be a straightforward win for Red Bull and Max. But I loved the first race. I thought it was action-packed and that's what I look for.

"I look for great racing, and great fights. And two greats like Lewis and Fernando going at it was very special."

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