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The big question raised by Verstappen’s F1 domination

We’ve become accustomed to Red Bull and Max Verstappen breaking records this season, with the Dutchman’s 2023 grand prix wins tally now up to 17 and the team’s score at 19 following the Interlagos event last weekend. Notwithstanding Fernando Alonso’s brilliant efforts to deny Sergio Perez’s faster car a place on the podium, the result in Brazil was never in doubt (see page 16). And that’s now the norm. While the brilliance of Red Bull and Verstappen cannot be denied, it’s hardly made for a classic Formula 1 season. That has made some ask whether something needs to be done about Red Bull’s domination, so this week we take on that very question (p30). We look at previous eras of F1 domination, rule changes that helped mix things up (or not), and what some of the current key players think of the idea of slowing down Red Bull. Really, it comes down to a debate about whether you think F1 should primarily be a sporting contest, one that’s meritocratic, or simply a form of entertainment. For a publication that has been around almost as long as the world championship itself, Autosport is clear about where we stand in the debate (p39)…

Elsewhere, Toyota underlined its dominance of the World Endurance Championship (despite Balance of Performance) with another 1-2 in the Bahrain finale. Gary Watkins was there (p40).

● There’s still time for you to have your say on the best performers of the 2023 motorsport season by voting in the Autosport Awards. Head to awardsvoting.autosport.com to select your favourites.

Kevin Turner Chief Editor

kevin.turner@autosport.com

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Cover image Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images/Red Bull Content Pool

PIT & PADDOCK 4 Changes mooted for F1 sprint format 6 Peugeot to revamp 9X8 for 2024 8 Ferrari eyes third WEC Hypercar 10 Grosjean secures IndyCar future 13 Opinion: Jamie Klein 15 Feedback: your letters

RACE CENTRE 16 Brazilian GP report and analysis 40 Toyota takes WEC title in Bahrain 48 World of Sport: TCR World Tour; Super GT; NASCAR Cup

FEATURES 30 Time to slow Red Bull and Verstappen? 50 Classic Team Lotus takes on Goodwood

CLUB AUTOSPORT 61 TOCA junior series details revealed 62 New Clio Cup launched for latest car 64 Moyers and Eastwell on Hayes clash 67 O’Donovan takes rallycross title 68 National reports: Silverstone Walter Hayes Trophy; Brands Hatch 74 GB3 and GB4 season reviews

FINISHING STRAIGHT 78 What’s on this week 80 From the archive: 1963 Monaco GP 82 My favourite car: Ben Collins

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9 NOVEMBER 2023 AUTOSPORT.COM 3