For the opening two races of the 2024 Formula 1 season, Red Bull, Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez became the depiction of Raging Bulls. With no resilience shown by their rivals the likes of Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes and Aston Martin. Scoring 73 points sends a message to cars trailing the Red Bull that they are still at the front of the field. With no remorse for slowing down.
Much to the hope of the rival teams and fans alike, Red Bulls’ first-hand struggle played its symphony at the Australian Grand Prix. When the RB20 of Max Verstappen’s car suffered a left rear brake failure at the end of the first sector on Lap 3. And from Turn 7 to Turn 11, a bloom of smoke that saw Red Bull seeking answers. While it became the signal for Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz to capitalise on Red Bull’s reliability woes.
A woe that began to see the Milton Keynes-based team fall ever closer to the clutches of their rivals. And see three-time world champion, Max Verstappen not only one nor two problems, but five. These five reasons come in the shape of race winners who have spoiled the Red Bull party in the eagerness to thwart the energy drink brand from the top spot in the constructor’s championship. But who are the five that have and may still take champagne away from Red Bull? Let’s find out…
Carlos Sainz
The Ferrari Spaniard driver was the first to strike a mighty blow to the Red Bull reign. One that felt that Ferrari could challenge the Milton Keynes-based team once again. And given the nature of the three-time Grand Prix winner, he has not finished outside of the top 6 so far in the 2024 season. Aside from retiring from the Canadian Grand Prix, his car suffered damage leading to his retirement.
But the question is, can Carlos mount a challenge and put himself in the mix amongst his rivals to challenge for Verstappen’s throne? As we are aware this will be Carlos’ final season for Ferrari. This is potentially his last chance to challenge for a world championship with a competitive car. So, Carlos could adopt a “nothing to lose” attitude to his driving style and push the limits of himself and his SF-24. To showcase his ever-growing race craft to teams willing to sign a race-winning driver.
For Carlos, who is 109 points from Max Verstappen, the time to show his calibre should be at the upcoming Hungarian Grand Prix. Not to target a podium. But with the endeavour to steal another win from the Flying Dutchman.
Lando Norris
The Formula 1 2024 season has become one the best for the British driver. And not just claiming more podiums but winning at the Miami Grand Prix. The second blow struck Red Bull. Norris’ eagerness to prove himself has seen his performance push him to second place in the championship but is also his downfall.
Norris has made his intentions clear, that he will not settle for a second place if he is close to the race victory. Instead uses all his might to steal the victory. However, this persona has unfortunately allowed Lando to get the better of him. As he lost opportunities to win in Canada, Austria and the latest Grand Prix at Silverstone. The McLaren driver must understand that to win, he must relay back to his team more with the decision-making. Which has been the bane of losing potential race wins.
Trailing by 74 points in the championship, Lando has set a precedent to his rivals that he is the driver worthy of challenging Max’s reign so far this season. But will it bear any fruit as we head into the second half of the season?
Charles Leclerc
After breaking the curse, Charles Leclerc defied the odds around the streets of Monte Carlo to strike the third blow to Max Verstappen’s reign; winning the Monaco Grand Prix. His home race. And up to the events of Monaco, Leclerc’s calibre has been formidable in finishing no lower than fourth. But after his home, it has been a reversal of fortune.
The Canadian Grand Prix became the worst weekend for the Fiarano-based team. Both Ferrari retired receiving no points and losing out to the likes of McLaren and Mercedes in the bid to challenge Red Bull. But while Charles finished fifth in the Spanish Grand Prix which could be considered as damage limitations; his latest run of form in Austria and Britain has seen the Monegasque score only two points. Thereby losing second place in the championship to Lando Norris.
After a disappointing race at Silverstone, Ferrari and Charles’ side of the garage need to regain composure; assess any potential problems and not allow the past to define the future going forward. Leclerc has demonstrated his sheer will in the past to steal wins away from Red Bull in 2022. And it is not too late for the six-time Grand Prix winner to tap into the momentum to bring a new level of ferocity. In the bid to retake second place in the championship and reign in on the Flying Dutchman.
George Russell
The 2022 Brazilian Grand Prix winner was the fourth driver to strike a blow to Red Bull’s dominance. After stealing the show at the Austrian Grand Prix. All eyes were on the fight between Lando Norris’ charge to relinquish Max Verstappen from the lead. Instead of an overtake, it ended in wheel-to-wheel racing. Colliding at Turn 3, both drivers suffered punctures giving the Silver Arrow of George Russell the trump card to take advantage of the melee and steal the show in the Styrian Alps.
For the now two-time Grand Prix winner, his worst Grand Prix have ended up becoming DNFs (Did Not Finish). The first was in Australia when Alonso forced the Kings Lynn driver off the track resulting in a huge crash on the final lap. The second was a reliability issue at his home Grand Prix in Silverstone, retiring with a water leak.
Russell’s retirement has been no fault of his own. But has demonstrated his prowess as Mercedes continuously upgraded the car. The performance of the W15 begins to close the gap down to the likes of Ferrari and McLaren. In the hope of taking more points and race wins away from the two RB20 drivers.
Lewis Hamilton
Add another race win to his tally and Lewis Hamilton is now a 104-time Grand Prix. Taking glory at his home race at the British Grand Prix. Much to the delight of the British fans, and to the dismay of Red Bull. Hamilton is now the fifth driver to relinquish Red Bull another trophy to put on display. Hamilton demonstrated his experience and race craft to pit at the right for a used set of soft tyres. A pit stop that proved crucial when Norris one lap later and Hamilton managed to snatch the lead in the Grand Prix. A move that earned him the race win.
However, Hamilton has struggled to replicate the performance of his team-mate, while the gap is only separated by one point, Lewis has not maintained the same level of intensity as his younger British team-mate. Russell is winning the team race, finishing in front of Hamilton seven times compared to Lewis’ four.
But at the age of 39, the driver from Stevenage is proving that age is only just a number as he begins to claw back momentum heading into the second half of the season with a race win. Even though the seven-time world champion is heading to Ferrari for the 2025 season, Lewis could also adopt the same mentality as Carlos Sainz to showcase his calibre in pushing the limits of not only man but machine. If age is only a number, then the second half of the season is the time to put that to the test.
Conclusion
Red Bull and Max Verstappen have five drivers who are eager to steal more points away from the Milton-Keynes-based team. Although we should not count out that there are more star studs on the grid, one, Oscar Piastri. The Australian has proven not just this season alone but in 2023 at the Qatar Sprint Race that his calibre should not be overlooked. With 124 points, and two (2nd place) podiums so far in the 2024 season, could we see Verstappen have six reasons as to why his quest for a fourth championship will be in jeopardy?
If you would like to learn more news about the world of Formula 1? Then why not check out “One Crucial Decision that Cost Lando Norris the Victory!” or“Lewis Hamilton Return to the Top Step of the Podium!”
Image Credit: Red Bull Content Pool
