In a surprising twist to the F1 2024 season, Max Verstappen, despite his dominant start, faces a turbulent second half as McLaren and Mercedes step up their game.
Verstappen, known for his remarkable prowess on the track, initially took the season by storm, clinching victory in four of the first five races. However, as the season unfolds, he’s found the competition increasingly fierce, with only three wins in the last nine races. Despite this, he remains 78 points ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris in the Drivers’ standings, showcasing his consistency despite fewer top podium finishes.
The real challenge, however, lies in the Constructors’ Championship. Red Bull, after a vigorous start, now finds itself merely 42 points ahead of McLaren, with ten races still to go. Tom Clarkson, speaking on the F1 Nation podcast, suggests that while Verstappen might struggle to accumulate the most points going forward, he is likely to secure his fourth World Championship. He attributes this to McLaren and Mercedes potentially taking points from each other, thus benefiting Verstappen’s tally.
Clarkson points out the resurgence of Mercedes, having won three of the four races leading into the summer break. This resurgence significantly impacts Norris’s ambitions to catch Verstappen, but also means McLaren remains a thorn in Red Bull’s side for the Constructors’ title. The duo of Norris and Oscar Piastri at McLaren is particularly noteworthy, providing the team with the strength required to challenge Red Bull effectively.
Historically, it’s not uncommon for the Drivers’ and Constructors’ titles to diverge in winners. The 2021 season witnessed Mercedes taking the Constructors’ crown while Verstappen walked away with the Drivers’ title. This year could see a similar pattern, with McLaren’s 42-point deficit in the Constructors’ race leaving them in strong contention to potentially topple Red Bull.
With McLaren and Mercedes gaining momentum, Verstappen’s strategy revolves around consistency. As Clarkson notes, Verstappen capitalizes on solid finishes rather than outright wins. His focus remains on maintaining a lead through steady point accumulation, rather than racking up victories, a tactic that has kept him comfortably at the top so far.
As the F1 2024 season progresses, the dynamics continue to shift. Max Verstappen’s path to a fourth title isn’t as straightforward as anticipated, with McLaren and Mercedes proving formidable opponents. However, his strategy of consistent finishes seems poised to secure him yet another victory in his impressive career.
