After completing six races in the 2024 F1 season, we have witnessed two instances where Red Bull’s vulnerability was exposed. In Melbourne, Verstappen unintentionally drove with the hand brake on, ultimately allowing Carlos Sainz to claim the first non-Red Bull victory of the season. Similarly, Miami proved to be a reminiscent of the “mini Singapore 2023” for Red Bull, as their RB20 struggled to find its optimal performance, leaving Verstappen feeling uneasy throughout the race.
The signs of Red Bull’s susceptibility were evident during Sprint qualifying. Verstappen’s pole position did not come easily, and his advantage over his competitors was noticeably less pronounced. In the Chinese Sprint, he managed to secure a victory with a 13-second lead from fourth place, while in Miami, he was only 3 seconds ahead of Charles Leclerc despite starting at the front.
Despite attempts to improve the RB20 by making changes after the Sprint, Verstappen’s pole position lacked conviction, and the race itself proved to be disappointing for the team. In contrast, McLaren and Lando Norris had a different story to tell at the 2024 Miami Grand Prix.
McLaren arrived with significant upgrades to their MCL38, and Team Principal Andrea Stella boldly claimed that his team was capable of challenging for victories in 2024. Right from the beginning, the Papaya car displayed impressive speed, with even Oscar Piastri, who did not have the complete package, showcasing competitiveness by outpacing Norris in FP1 and Sprint qualifying.
Unfortunately, the Sprint race presented a missed opportunity for Norris, as he was taken out due to a chain reaction involving Mercedes, Aston Martin, and Aston Martin, all triggered by Lewis Hamilton’s lapse in judgment while attempting to exploit a gap. Qualifying also did not go smoothly for McLaren, with Norris finishing fifth and Piastri in sixth place. However, the race brought everything together for the team.
Although the Safety Car deployment provided Norris and McLaren with an advantage, his pace was strong even before that incident. He skillfully managed the restart, with Verstappen attempting to challenge him from behind, and successfully maintained his lead, gradually distancing himself from the Red Bull car, which seemed to lack the necessary speed to keep up, let alone overtake the runaway McLaren.
Red Bull later disclosed that Verstappen’s car had sustained damage after going off track and hitting a cone. However, it is important to note that Norris and McLaren should not be held responsible for the Dutchman’s decision to put his RB20 through a “crash test,” as he humorously referred to it after the race.
Norris exhibited a composed and calculated drive, resulting in his well-deserved first-ever Formula 1 victory. This achievement serves as a significant morale boost and relief for both Norris and his team.
Honestly, despite the celebration of Norris’ initial victory, Stella, who achieved his first win as the McLaren Team Principal, should also be commended. Since taking over from Andreas Seidl as the head of the racing team, Stella has guided them on an upward trajectory. Although the start of 2024 seemed to be a setback compared to 2023, especially with the recent restructuring that resulted in David Sanchez’s departure, it was merely a minor setback. McLaren’s MCL38 has shown improved performance under Stella’s leadership. While Zak Brown enjoys engaging in verbal sparring with his rivals and celebrating with bear hugs, Stella quietly exudes calmness and confidence. Stella’s promotion within McLaren is even more impressive, highlighting the success of a diligent worker who achieves results without seeking attention. During Norris’ celebration with his team and Brown in parc ferme, Stella patiently waited on the sidelines. When his victorious driver spotted him, Norris embraced him with a smile that conveyed their special connection.
In China, Daniel Ricciardo received the new chassis he had requested and immediately outperformed his teammate Yuki Tsunoda throughout the weekend. This advantage continued in Miami, where Ricciardo secured an impressive fourth place in the Sprint qualifying and defended his position even more impressively in the Sprint Race, finishing in fourth. Meanwhile, Tsunoda finished in 15th and eighth places, respectively. Ricciardo’s strong performance led many to believe that the new chassis had reignited his competitive spirit. However, this turned out to be a short-lived illusion. During qualifying, Ricciardo was eliminated in Q1, recording the 18th fastest time, and he finished the race in 15th place. On the other hand, Tsunoda qualified in tenth position and achieved a seventh-place finish. The status quo was restored. Thus, the enigmatic situation surrounding Daniel Ricciardo persists, and unless he can quickly bounce back, starting with the Imola race, his future at VCARB and in Formula 1 will continue to be increasingly uncertain.