The 2023 Formula 1 season was largely a coronation for Max Verstappen and Red Bull. By the season’s halfway level, the Red Bull driver enjoyed a commanding 110-point lead over teammate Sergio Pérez within the F1 Drivers’ Championship and ended up profitable the title dominantly, by 290 factors over his teammate. Things have been related on the Constructors’ aspect, as Red Bull held a 229-point lead over Mercedes following the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Things are a lot totally different this 12 months.
As the second half of the F1 season begins, Red Bull has just a 71-point lead over Ferrari, with McLaren solely seven factors behind the Scuderia. While Verstappen has a lead on the Drivers’ aspect, his lead over Lando Norris is 84 factors. That makes him the favourite over the ultimate 12 race weekends of the 12 months, however not at all is both title determined but.
This is a problem that Verstappen is relishing.
Speaking on the Goodwood Festival of Speed this weekend Verstappen talked about how the sector has tightened up, and the way the truth that every little thing is “unknown” is nice for the game.
“We had some nice years. Of course, this 12 months additionally began off actually competitively, and now everybody’s catching up a bit. Every race is a correct battle as effectively, so it’s nice,” mentioned Verstappen at Goodwood. “I feel that may proceed additionally for the remainder of the season, so it’s actually unknown what’s going to occur, and that’s nice for the game.”
Verstappen’s feedback mirror what Oscar Piastri instructed SB Nation just lately. Speaking with me after his second place end on the Monaco Grand Prix, the McLaren driver outlined how neither title was “performed and dusted” simply but.
“The Constructors’ [Championship] I might say continues to be open. We’re nonetheless a 3rd of the best way via the 12 months. So it’s undoubtedly nonetheless all to play for. I might say, after all, we’re at a little bit of an obstacle being way back to we’re, however it’s definitely not not possible. And yeah, I feel even within the Drivers’ Championship, it’s not performed and dusted but. If you have been to say anybody other than Max [Verstappen] being the favourite, it’s most likely formidable,” mentioned Piastri.
“But I don’t assume both championship is over by any means.”
In Verstappen’s thoughts, the elevated competitors is super for F1.
“I imply, normally, it’s simply nice to have so many unbelievable drivers in F1 and making it troublesome to win,” added Verstappen. “I feel everybody was ready for that as effectively and that’s undoubtedly what F1 followers need. To have that is nice between so many alternative groups as effectively.
“It’s going to be a terrific remainder of the 12 months.”
By and enormous, F1 followers agree.
