Pre-season chatter hinted that RB would easily dominate Formula 1’s midfield in 2024, but oh boy, how things have changed!
RB seemed destined for a lonely sixth place in the 2024 Constructor’s Championship, but it’s getting intense out there. After a disappointing upgrade at Barcelona, RB finds itself just a mere four points ahead of Haas, which was eyeing seventh place not too long ago. Alpine has also bounced back from a rough start to the year, adding pressure to the midfield tussle.
Williams hasn’t been sitting idle either, snagging a few points and showing promise for the second half of the season with their FW46. Aston Martin occasionally dips into the midfield skirmish when its updates don’t pan out as expected. But don’t count Sauber out—despite its stumbling start, the team is hoping to climb up the ladder.
The opener in Bahrain saw Haas as the strongest of the bottom five, though scoring was a beast with teams like Red Bull, Ferrari, and Mercedes hogging the points. Initially, RB seemed like it might challenge the top five, but Haas and Alpine had other plans. Meanwhile, Williams and Sauber faced weight issues that held them back early on.
There’s real progress happening at Williams and Alpine. Alex Albon’s ninth place at Silverstone is a glimmer of hope for Williams, while Alpine’s lightweight car is starting to find its groove. Haas, though, has been the standout, especially after Nico Hulkenberg’s sixth-place finishes in Austria and Britain. RB, on the other hand, has been juggling between old and new parts, trying to find the right mix.
Haas’ seamless communication between its bases in England and Italy has played a pivotal role. Their upgrades have boosted their performance, especially at high-speed tracks like Silverstone. Meanwhile, Alpine’s new technical director, David Sanchez, believes the team has the expertise to climb the ranks, and Williams aims to shed more weight and boost performance under James Vowles.
As for Sauber, the struggle is real. A trio of poor races and slow upgrades have kept them at the bottom. The team is in a state of ‘waiting’ for the Audi project in 2026, which reflects in their performance. Despite the hurdles, the battle among these five midfield teams is fierce and far from over.
So, who will come out on top in this thrilling midfield fight? With each team bringing their A-game, it’s going to be an exciting second half of the season. Buckle up!
Source: Motorsport
