Ramirez: Verstappen is the modern day Ayrton Senna

For much of McLaren's greatest era, under Ron Dennis, with Senna in the team, Ramirez was one of his closest confidantes as well as helmet carrier and everything in between, thus well qualified to make such a statement.

The Mexican motorsport veteran spent nearly two decades at Woking, also working with the likes of their legends Niki Lauda, ​​Alain Prost, Mika Hakkinen, and David Coulthard

Speaking to AS website, Ramirez was asked who would he put $100 on to with the 2023 F1, he replied: "Max Verstappen. The guy is very good. He has taken on the role of Ayrton Senna in modern F1.

"With that car, that team, and Adrian Newey he is almost unstoppable. Checo is very good too but he lacks the killer instinct that Max has," ventured Ramirez.

Indeed Red Bull dominated the first episode of this season, namely Bahrain F1 Testing and the Bahrain Grand Prix. Their traditional rivals - Mercedes and Ferrari - were AWOL at Sakhir and by the look of things both great teams have a mountain to climb to even get a glimpse of Red Bull's mighty W19 package.

"If they do not suffer technical setbacks or an accident, yes. They are in another galaxy and now we arrive at a circuit (Jeddah for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix) where they are going to fly.

"Their supremacy is going to leave us speechless. They are very fast in the fast corners and they are going to be much better than the rest. In addition, the fight between Max and Checo will benefit them, even more, to continue improving," predicts Ramirez.

With Newey in their corner and a PU that is fast and reliable, Red Bull have an almost unbeatable car again this year. The 2022 RB18 which won a record 17 races last year out of 22, has a worthy successor.

Ramirez pinpointed their strengths: "Basically the aerodynamics but it is also a team that does not fail and borders on perfection in almost all areas. The pitstops are wonderful."

However unexpected, and most welcome, a new force emerged at the sharp end in the from of Aston Martin and their fired-up new recruit, veteran Fernando Alonso who stole the opening night show in Bahrain with a car that finally can, once again, reveal talents that have never gone away in two decades of racing at the highest level.

Like most, Ramirez was impressed with Aston and the Spaniard: “Definitely the progress of Aston Martin. I sensed something because of the enormous investment they have made and the signings they have made, but we know that this does not always go well.

"In F1 Testing it seemed incredible that they were so fast and there were doubts but they have shown that they have taken a huge step forward. Fernando was great and [Lance] Stroll is also a great driver. They are a breath of fresh air for F1 and another team to be on top fighting with the big three."

As for the duel under the floodlights of Sakhir between Alonso and his great rival Lewis Hamilton, Ramirez enthused: "It was fantastic. We witnessed a formidable duel between two phenomena. Fernando passed him, Lewis returned it and the Spaniard found a way to pass him again in incredible fashion. Those moments are what make this sport great."

Ramirez also does not discount Alonso winning a third F1 title: "If Aston Martin continues in this line and he lasts two or three more years, Alonso can achieve it. The team is on the proper path.

"Red Bull, and especially Helmut Marko, criticize them for having copied them, but that's how F1 has worked for a long time. In addition, Alonso is at a magnificent age. When Alain Prost retired he was 41 years old and in his prime. I was next to him and I could see it. The same thing is happening to Alonso. He is driving better than ever. Experience counts more than age."

As for the immediate future, are wins possible for Lawrence Stroll's Team Green? Ramirez thinks so: “It is very possible. The way things look, I think he can do it. There will be races that does not favor Red Bull so much, that it rains, or that there are slightly special circumstances and there they can take advantage of the opportunity.

"Fernando's experience will make the difference. I predict it and I wish it for Alonso, for the friends I have at Aston Martin, and for the Spanish fans," concluded Ramirez.