Talking points ahead of F1 season: It's Red Bull v Ferrari, but don't discount Mercedes

As we head into the season-opening 2023 Bahrain Formula 1 Grand Prix, there are several talking points to consider, including the highly anticipated battle between Ferrari and Red Bull. Both teams have been making strides in recent years, and their performances in the pre-season testing have set the stage for an exciting season ahead.

Both teams have invested heavily in their cars and drivers, and there is a lot of anticipation surrounding how they will perform on the track this year.

Ferrari has made significant changes to its team structure, bringing in new talent and streamlining its operations to improve performance. Carlos Sainz Jr will partner Charles Leclerc for a third season, with the duo working well together since 2021.

Red Bull, on the other hand, will have its star driver, Max Verstappen, leading the charge. Verstappen, widely considered one of the best drivers in the sport today, will team with Sergio Perez, also for a third season.

Like the previous seasons, Perez must support Verstappen's title bid and help provide the team with a strong challenge in defending the Drivers' and Constructors' championships it won in 2022.

Should the flying Dutchman successfully defend his title this season, he will join Juan Manuel Fangio, Michael Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton as the only four drivers in the history of the sport to win three consecutive Formula 1 titles.

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High expectations

Pre-season testing has given us a glimpse of what we can expect from these two teams. Ferrari showed impressive pace, but Perez set the fastest time (1:30.305) with the Red Bull car on the final day of testing. Both teams have also put in a lot of