Total-Motorsport.com examines what to expect from Red Bull in the upcoming 2024 Formula 1 season. Despite Christian Horner’s investigation for alleged misconduct, Red Bull and Max Verstappen are still the top contenders for the championship. Verstappen made history in 2023 with 19 race wins, including a remarkable streak of 10 consecutive victories. His teammate, Sergio Perez, who secured two wins last year, will be under pressure to retain his seat as his contract expires at the end of 2024. The journalists at Total-Motorsport.com, including Adam Dickinson, Jasmine Hughes, Joe Krishnan, Ed Spencer, and Brandon Sutton, provide insights into Red Bull’s prospects for the upcoming season.
Red Bull remains the team to beat in Formula 1 until proven otherwise. Although the cost cap penalty may have affected their competitiveness, their last significant upgrade in 2023 showed promising results. Verstappen continues to demonstrate his exceptional skills and remains the fastest driver in motorsport. The outcome of Horner’s investigation is yet to be confirmed, but it is unlikely to have a significant impact on the team unless they struggle at the start of the season. There may be a closer battle in the constructors’ championship, potentially involving Ferrari, as Perez’s confidence may be affected by Verstappen’s dominance. However, Verstappen is expected to secure his fourth drivers’ title without much difficulty.
Red Bull is unlikely to make significant improvements this year, as it would require a major rethink from Formula 1. Verstappen’s exceptional performances in 2023, where he consistently outperformed the competition, highlighted the need for other teams to step up their game. Red Bull’s flawless execution, whether it was pit stops, strategy, or tire management, set them apart from their rivals. While they face their own challenges, such as Horner’s uncertain future and new innovations on the RB20 sidepods, Verstappen’s contributions alone were enough to secure the constructors’ championship last year. It would take something extraordinary to dethrone them from the top spot.
Is there any doubt about Red Bull’s dominance? Verstappen’s remarkable speed, demonstrated by lapping a whole second faster than his competitors in 2023, resulted in 19 race wins. Red Bull maintained their advantage throughout the season, even after shifting their focus to development for the following year. The operational efficiency of the team leaves little room for unexpected mistakes, as was often the case during the Mercedes era. Verstappen is expected to continue his consistent performances, securing his fourth championship title, while Perez faces a crucial season. If Perez fails to improve upon his performance in 2023, where he scored less than half the points of his teammate, he may lose his seat to other talented drivers waiting in the wings, such as Daniel Ricciardo, Liam Lawson, and Alex Albon. Red Bull and Verstappen are predicted to be crowned champions, with Perez having everything to prove.
Red Bull’s run of titles seemed unstoppable after coming close to a perfect season. However, recent headlines have focused on Horner’s position as team principal, as he faces an ongoing inquiry into his conduct. If Horner were to resign, the team may experience a slowdown in success if a new leader needs time to adapt to the team’s ecosystem. Nevertheless, Verstappen remains unaffected and has established himself as the benchmark in Formula 1 after his dominant performances in 2023. Perez enters the 2024 season with the pressure to avoid repeating the mistakes of the previous year if he wants to secure his seat for 2025.
It’s a no-brainer that Red Bull will finish the 2024 season on top, with Verstappen on track for his fourth consecutive drivers’ championship. The team from Milton Keynes was nearly unbeatable last year, losing to another team only once throughout the season. The only question left is how many victories Red Bull will secure and whether they will face more challenges from their competitors. The hope is that there will be more exciting battles against Red Bull’s dominance, similar to the Singapore Grand Prix. However, Perez’s performance remains uncertain. He struggled in comparison to Verstappen last year and will need to prove himself in order to secure his place at Red Bull, as his contract expires at the end of 2024.
According to the Source total-motorsport.com