Since the beginning of the 2023 Formula 1 season, Red Bull’s domination has been clear, but last weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix underscored just how unassailable Max Verstappen’s form has become. The Dutch driver displayed his trademark composure and relentless pace on Baku’s unforgiving street circuit, while a resurgent AlphaTauri and their prodigious talent Yuki Tsunoda created headlines with an unexpectedly stirring drive. The sharp observations of AlphaTauri’s Team Principal, Laurent Mekies, offered a fascinating window into both of these compelling stories.
Verstappen’s season so far has verged on the clinical. From his qualifying performance to his surgically precise racecraft, no rival has managed to disrupt his rhythm. The reigning World Champion maneuvered through the chaos and technical challenges of Baku with the confidence of a veteran at the peak of his powers. His tire management, strategic awareness, and error-free execution have made him something of an untouchable force, even among a grid packed with caliber and experience.
Laurent Mekies, who has had a front-row seat to Verstappen’s growth since the Dutchman’s earliest days in Formula 1, was unequivocal in his appraisal: Verstappen is currently “untouchable.” Mekies noted that the Red Bull driver’s balance of aggression and maturity leaves his competitors playing catch-up—Max wasn’t merely fast, he was methodical and adaptable in the face of race-day uncertainty.
But it wasn’t all about the reigning champion. In the same race, Yuki Tsunoda’s performance signaled a thrilling breakthrough for AlphaTauri. While the team has struggled with consistency and pace over the past seasons, Baku saw a transformed Tsunoda—focused, aggressive, yet unusually composed. Navigating both the tricky circuit and the notoriously crowded midfield, Tsunoda extracted the maximum from his car, even outpacing far more experienced rivals for long stretches of the Grand Prix.
Mekies praised Tsunoda’s ability to manage the Pirelli tyres over the demanding race distance, a skill that has often tripped up even seasoned pilots. The Japanese driver’s mental discipline was evident: he avoided unnecessary risks, made decisive overtakes, and communicated proactively with his engineers to optimize strategy. According to Mekies, this was the best race of Tsunoda’s Formula One career to date—a sign that he’s stepping up as a dependable, points-scoring driver for AlphaTauri.
The context of this achievement cannot be understated. Baku’s combination of long straights and tight corners punishes teams lacking aerodynamic efficiency and mechanical grip—areas where AlphaTauri has historically wavered. Tsunoda’s effort isn’t simply a highlight in an otherwise quiet season, but proof that both car and driver have evolved together. The fact that AlphaTauri was able to position Tsunoda in the thick of midfield battles is a promising sign as F1 enters its intense European leg.
Looking ahead, both Verstappen’s dominance and Tsunoda’s progress offer fans much to anticipate. Red Bull have found in Verstappen a star whose blend of speed, psychogical fortitude and race acumen sets a new standard—even as whispers grow about potential challengers from Ferrari and Mercedes. Meanwhile, AlphaTauri’s upward trajectory, powered by Tsunoda’s increasing maturity, could inject welcome unpredictability into the constructors’ battle for the remainder of the year.
For Hungarian F1 enthusiasts and global fans alike, the Azerbaijan GP wasn’t just another episode in the Red Bull show. It was a weekend to appreciate both unsurpassed excellence at the sport’s summit, and the hunger for progress among rising stars and their determined teams. As the championship unfolds, keep your eyes on Verstappen’s pursuit of perfection—and on unsung talents like Tsunoda, poised to shake up the grid’s established order.
