Red Bull seems to be facing more competition than ever going into the Canadian Grand Prix, according to former Aston Martin strategy chief turned pundit Bernie Collins.
With Max Verstappen winning four of the first five races in the 2024 F1 season, it looked like he might cruise to a fourth consecutive World title. However, the last three Grands Prix saw three different winners, opening up the title race again. First, McLaren’s Lando Norris clinched a surprise victory in Miami, followed by Verstappen reclaiming his spot in Imola, only for Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc to take the win in Monaco, where Verstappen finished a modest sixth.
Now, with the Canadian Grand Prix approaching, several factors seem to challenge Red Bull further. According to Collins, the weather looks uncertain and could disrupt the race, making it all the more unpredictable. ‘It’s going to be a lot of mixed-up sessions,’ Collins said. ‘Either a wet qualifying or a wet race will mix up the grid and lead to a very exciting race.’
The track itself also poses a unique challenge. Unlike Monaco’s twisty layout, Montreal has long straights favoring different car setups. In recent races, both Ferrari and McLaren have managed to close the gap to Red Bull, making the championship much tighter than initially expected. ‘Red Bull are really on the backfoot,’ Collins stated. ‘Can they learn enough? Can they bring upgrades to keep that car ahead?’
Adding to the intrigue, Red Bull recently extended Sergio Perez’s contract by two years, but the driver has had a rough couple of races. Perez finished eighth in Imola and didn’t finish in Monaco due to a first-lap collision. His struggles have widened the gap between him and Verstappen in the Drivers’ Championship by 62 points. As Collins put it, ‘Red Bull’s rivals smell a bit of an opportunity here.’
Despite the recent challenges, Verstappen is no stranger to the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, having won the Canadian GP twice in a row. Whether Red Bull can maintain their lead or get overtaken by their rivals remains the big question.
The upcoming Canadian Grand Prix promises to be a thriller. With unpredictable weather, a challenging track, and fierce competition, it’s anyone’s guess whether Red Bull can stay ahead.
Source: Planetf1
