However, with several rivals showing signs of improvement as the season wore on, and a busy winter of preparation for the new campaign now in full swing, Verstappen and Red Bull know they have a target on their backs.

Verstappen remarkably won 19 of the 22 races held during the 2023 season

Asked how big of a jump he thinks Red Bull need to take over the winter to maintain their advantage, Verstappen said: “It’s difficult to tell but, of course, we are also working on our car to try and make it better.

“I think we know our weaknesses as well in the car and that’s what we’ll try to work on plus, of course, trying to make our strengths even stronger.”

Verstappen was then pushed on what those weaknesses are, and he was quick to point out Red Bull’s performance at Singapore’s Marina Bay – the only event they didn’t win in 2023 – and street tracks in general.

Singapore marked a rare off-weekend for Red Bull, with Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz taking advantage

“Of course there are [weaknesses],” he asserted. “Look at our race weekend in Singapore. In general, on street circuits, I think we are struggling a bit more, like in Vegas also.

“Low-speed is definitely not our strongest point in the car, [going over] bumps, kerbs as well, so that’s definitely a big area where we can improve.”

While Red Bull push for further improvements, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff recently admitted that his squad have “Mount Everest to climb” if they are to build on their 2023 runner-up finish and challenge Red Bull for overall honours again next year.