Harsh message for Ferrari: 'Don't think they can challenge Red Bull'

Ralf Schumacher fears Ferrari has already forfeited its chances of winning the world title in 2023. The Italian team saw Charles Leclerc retire out in the Bahrain Grand Prix, but also lacked the speed to challenge Red Bull Racing. According to Schumacher, it is too late for a turnaround.

Red Bull pulled off a dominant double victory in Bahrain, where Max Verstappen disappeared on the horizon immediately after the start. Teammate Sergio Perez closed in on P2 after a battle with Leclerc, who saw his race end in the closing stages due to a technical problem with his SF-23.

Consequently, it was not Ferrari, but Aston Martin that assumed the role of second team. The weak performance of the Italian squad does not bode well for the rest of the Formula 1 season, according to Schumacher, and he therefore fears we are in for a "relatively boring season".

Speaking to Formel1.de, the former F1 driver says he does not expect Ferrari to be able to make a bid for the world title in 2023, given the considerable gap the team has to close. "I think it will take too long and Red Bull will be out of the picture by then, unless of course there are technical issues. I would like it, but I fear this will be a relatively boring season. It will revolve around two battling teammates," Schumacher notes.

In addition, the six-time GP winner does not think Aston Martin will emerge as strong in every race as it did in Bahrain. He stresses that the Silverstone-based team is still young and expects there to be races in which Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll cannot make the most of the potential from the tyres. "Moreover, even Alonso cannot do everything with that car. They have to compete against an experienced Red Bull," Schumacher stressed.