Will Red Bull conquer again or will the track clear for a new champion?
The 2024 Formula 1 season has hosted many surprises since the lights first went out in Bahrain. Unlike last year’s season, there is no clear dominance this time around.
Following the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Oscar Piastri’s second win and Lando Norris’ fourth-place finish earned McLaren enough points to pass Red Bull in the Constructors’ Championship. Maximizing results has proven crucial for the season's back half, as the former world champions seem to be falling short.
If the papaya team continues to succeed and replicates their strategy at Baku, they could secure a significant lead in the standings. If McLaren takes the trophy, it will be their first Constructors’ Championship win since 1998 with Mika Hakkinen and David Coulthard.
The constructors’ standings aren’t the only battle to win this season, as Norris still has the best chance of taking Max Verstappen’s crown in the Driver’s Championship. As a three-time WDC, Verstappen seemed to be on par to clinch his fourth consecutive win until he and the team faltered.
With Verstappen’s nearly perfect record in 2023, there was no question who would reign supreme in the drivers’ and constructors’ championships. He managed to secure a 290-point lead to win his third world championship ahead of his own teammate.
This season seems to be the year of Red Bull’s downfall, as the team can’t seem to find their footing in the final races. The British team even had to cancel their Singapore special livery due to weight concerns. Since the project was scrapped last minute, it seems that the team is struggling following the sudden decline in performance.
In order to surpass Verstappen, Norris will have to drive to his full potential in every single race. He was knocked out of Q1 in Baku which could have ruined his chances, but his impressive drive from P15 to P4 still outperformed the Dutch driver, keeping him in the championship title fight.
It’s clear that McLaren has had a massive turnaround since the front half of the 2023 season, as they made significant improvements even last year with 302 points overall. From fourth place in the standings last year to being first currently, there’s no question that the papaya team continues to progress.
For the upcoming races, Norris must be a priority. Baku was an obvious exception due to Piastri qualifying well above his teammate, but to have a serious chance at the title, McLaren needs to make sure the British driver gets the favorable strategy. With Piastri willing to do his part, Norris has a real shot at claiming his first championship title.
Since Verstappen kicked off the season with the same dominance as 2023, it will be more difficult to close the gap. However, Verstappen hasn’t managed to secure a win since Spain. If the Red Bull driver isn’t able to find his way back to his usual form, the title could slip through his fingers.
With the competition being so much closer this season compared to 2023, fans aren’t used to seeing a genuine fight at the top. There’s a very strong chance the championship battle could go all the way to the final race in Abu Dhabi. While there is hopefully no repeat of 2021, the final race could make way for a new world champion.
It’s not the end of the line for Red Bull entirely, as the team’s chief Helmut Marko has hinted at a massive upcoming upgrade. They may no longer be the fastest car on the grid, but speed isn’t the only important factor, as proved by Piastri’s masterclass in Baku.
Marko has expressed the team’s commitment to Verstappen’s fourth title and doesn’t seem entirely focused on the Constructors’ Championship. They claim to have “given up” on the team’s collective win and are willing to sacrifice that trophy for Verstappen’s victory.
As of now, there is no clear winner for the 2024 season. Fans shouldn’t get too comfortable with any teams or drivers being at the top, as they could easily end up somewhere else by the next race. This sport is known for its many surprises, and anything can happen between now and when the lights go out for the final time in Abu Dhabi.
Edited by Reese Dlabach
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