The 2024 Formula One season began with a bang, and not the kind anyone expected. Lewis Hamilton, fresh off a new contract with Mercedes, surprised everyone by announcing his departure to Ferrari in 2025. Conversely, Red Bull Racing found itself entangled in internal dramas as efforts to oust team boss Christian Horner came to light, revealing struggles that had been brewing since the start of the year.
An independent probe into Horner’s alleged “inappropriate behavior” toward a female employee cleared him of all charges. However, the female’s legal team plans to appeal, indicating this issue might not be over. Dr. Helmut Marko faced potential suspension for leaking details of the investigation. Amidst this chaos, Max Verstappen hinted that these complications might drive him to exit Red Bull before his contract ends in 2028.
Tensions soared as Jos Verstappen called for Horner to step down, accusing him of “tearing the team apart.” The drama continued with McLaren’s Zak Brown attributing Red Bull’s wavering dominance to their early success with the 2022 car design. “They hit terminal velocity quicker than us,” he mused. Red Bull claims only three wins from the last six races, while Ferrari and Mercedes now threaten their supremacy.
Sergio Perez’s inconsistency further compounds Red Bull’s troubles, contrasting Verstappen’s relatively secure early lead in the drivers’ championship. Brown believes Red Bull has hit a development ceiling, stating, “There comes a point where you can’t develop a car any further,” crediting the rest of the field for catching up.
Brown has previously lambasted Red Bull, accusing them of cheating and criticizing their response to collisions involving Verstappen. He insists that the internal turmoil at Red Bull might only impact them in the mid to long term. “Winning keeps things together,” he explains. “When that’s challenged, internal fractures surface.”
Rumors swirl around Adrian Newey’s departure, with speculation that internal troubles influenced his decision. Newey, who has been with Red Bull since 2007, vaguely referenced getting “tired” recently. It’s uncertain if his fatigue stems from Horner’s controversies or broader organizational issues following the death of Red Bull founder Didi Mateschitz.
Meanwhile, the driver market remains in flux. Hamilton’s early announcement to leave Mercedes for Ferrari has bottlenecked decisions for 2025. Carlos Sainz’s future remains undecided, affecting other drivers like Valtteri Bottas, who might return to Williams if Sainz departs Ferrari. With the grid’s future hanging in the balance, Formula One fans are left eagerly awaiting the next episode in this unfolding drama.
As the season unfolds, the storylines within Formula One promise more twists and turns. Hamilton’s future with Ferrari, Red Bull’s internal issues, and the tightly contested races among top teams have set the stage for an electrifying year. Stay tuned as these high-octane tales continue to evolve.
