While Max Verstappen may certainly safe his fourth consecutive Formula One world championship subsequent yr, each he and Red Bull are prone to face challenges in replicating the extent of dominance achieved in 2023.
Rivals, business rights holders Liberty Media, and thousands and thousands of followers are all hoping to see extra of a battle for the highest of the rostrum when the racing begins once more in Bahrain subsequent March.
Whether that can occur is the query no person has the reply to earlier than the brand new vehicles and tires are put by means of their paces in testing, and the uncertainty creates some suspense going into the winter break.
“I think, for the sake of all of us and F1, and even for Red Bull, to be honest, we need not just McLaren but Ferrari, Aston Martin, Mercedes, and everybody to close the gap,” stated Sky TV commentator and ex-racer Martin Brundle.
It could also be wishful considering to count on an enormous change on the entrance, with Verstappen solely getting higher and teammate Sergio Perez posing no risk, however even Red Bull acknowledges they could by no means have it so good once more.
“This season, I doubt it will be repeated in my lifetime,” stated crew boss Christian Horner.
“With such strong opposition as well – such strong teams and stable regulations – I am sure next year is going to be a lot closer, a lot tighter, and a different kind of challenge.”
Only Juan Manuel Fangio, Michael Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel, and Lewis Hamilton have managed 4 successive titles for the reason that championship began in 1950, however Verstappen already deserves comparability.
His 19 wins in 22 races, and the crew’s sweep of all however one, have been astonishing and are actually a part of the game’s wealthy historical past.
The Dutch 26-year-old took extra factors, extra podiums, and led extra laps in a single marketing campaign than anybody earlier than, and his win charge of 86.3% eclipsed Alberto Ascari’s 85.7% from 1952.
Longest yr
Next yr would be the longest but at 24 races, with six sprints, together with Miami and Shanghai, experiencing that format for the primary time.
While the season proved a dud by way of title suspense, the racing delivered shut battles by means of the remainder of the sphere, and that ought to proceed.
Las Vegas, again on the calendar for the primary time since 1982 and with a race down the famed Strip, confirmed there will be loads of thrills and leisure even after championships have been gained.
A dream situation for Formula One in 2024 can be a decider in Las Vegas with Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton, 39 subsequent month, combating outdated foe Verstappen for the record-eighth title he controversially missed out on in 2021.
The pairing with George Russell may additionally present some sparks if Mercedes produces a aggressive automotive after two troublesome years.
It would even be fairly one thing if resurgent McLaren may very well be critical contenders with Australian hotshot Oscar Piastri rising in confidence after a powerful rookie season alongside Lando Norris.
“We’re feeling really good about our car for next year,” stated McLaren boss Zak Brown. “We definitely feel like we’ll take a step forward, but so will the entire grid. We’re just going to have to wait and see, but we’re excited.”
The dream at Formula One headquarters would additionally see Ferrari, with no title since 2008, difficult for greater than the most effective of the remainder, and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso, 43 in July, again on the highest step greater than a decade on from his final win.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
