Formula 1’s shutdown is over, with teams heading to Zandvoort for the first of 2024’s 10 remaining rounds. As F1 wakes up from its summertime siesta, here is a refresher of some key storylines you may have missed, and some lingering questions seeking an answer in the Dutch dunes and beyond.
Red Bull is backing Perez; will it be a costly mistake?
Shortly after the Belgian Grand Prix Red Bull decided to stick to its guns and keep faith in Sergio Perez… for now. The Mexican has struggled massively to be quick and consistent in the RB20 since May. He has tumbled down to seventh in the standings, scoring less than half of the number of points of team-mate and championship leader Max Verstappen.
Red Bull felt none of the potential replacements within its ranks were a clear and immediate upgrade and instead decided to throw its weight behind Perez to turn things around. Speaking to Autosport, technical director Pierre Wache vowed Red Bull would do everything it can through its remaining upgrades to make the car more comfortable for Perez to drive.
The reality is that Perez and Red Bull remain in a difficult position, despite the public vote of confidence. For a company boasting two F1 teams and a large young driver programme, it is puzzling that it found none of its other drivers well-positioned to take over from Perez.
Meanwhile, McLaren has closed to 42 points in the constructors’ championship, so Red Bull still desperately needs its wingman to start contending for regular podiums. It may have decided to keep backing Perez for now, but this key 2024 storyline is far from over.
Can McLaren actually win the title?
While Perez and Red Bull are stumbling, McLaren is sniffing blood. And as the rivalry between CEO Zak Brown and Red Bull boss Christian Horner has picked up in recent months, so too has the prospect of McLaren winning its first constructors’ title since 1998.
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20, Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38
Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Under team principal Andrea Stella, McLaren has continued its impressive development curve and has now had the fastest car on certain circuits, but a spate of errors have prevented the Woking squad from fully capitalising on its potential. Despite those mistakes, it has still been the highest-scoring outfit over the past eight races, and if that trend continues could catch Red Bull by Singapore or Austin.
Ferrari is only 21 points further behind…
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