Red Bull DEMOTED after FIA hit F1 champions with multiple penal…read more
Red Bull Racing faces a challenging turn of events in the 2024 Formula 1 season after penalties from the FIA significantly impacted their performance at the Mexican Grand Prix. The team, which has dominated in recent years with Max Verstappen at the helm, now finds itself behind McLaren and Ferrari in the Constructors’ Championship, jeopardizing Verstappen’s pursuit of a fourth consecutive drivers’ title.
This season has seen McLaren close in on Red Bull’s lead, with a pivotal moment at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix when McLaren overtook Red Bull in the Constructors’ standings. McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have consistently performed, with Piastri’s win in Baku and Norris’s regular podium finishes strengthening McLaren’s claim to what could be their first Constructors’ title since 1998.
Red Bull’s situation worsened in Mexico City, where Verstappen received a 20-second penalty, pushing him to a sixth-place finish despite a determined race. Teammate Sergio Perez struggled further, failing to secure points as Red Bull needed to maintain their competitive edge. Perez’s future with the team also remains uncertain, adding another layer of complexity to Red Bull’s season as they slipped to third place in the Constructors’ standings, now trailing behind Ferrari as well.
Ferrari has seized the opportunity created by Red Bull’s setbacks, with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz both delivering strong performances. Sainz clinched victory in Mexico, while Leclerc’s third-place finish helped Ferrari move into second place. The Mexican Grand Prix underscored Ferrari’s resurgence, with the Italian team now in a strong position as they approach the season’s final races.
The Drivers’ Championship has also tightened. Verstappen leads with 362 points, but Norris is now only 47 points behind, making him a formidable contender for the title. Ferrari’s Leclerc follows closely with 291 points, with Piastri in fourth at 251 points, and Sainz in fifth with 240 points. The pressure is mounting on Verstappen to defend his title, with McLaren and Ferrari emerging as serious threats.
The top ten in the Drivers’ standings include Verstappen (362), Norris (315), Leclerc (291), Piastri (251), Sainz (240), Hamilton (189), Russell (177), Perez (150), Alonso (62), and Hulkenberg (31). Red Bull’s struggles and McLaren and Ferrari’s consistent performances have made for an intense championship battle, setting up an exciting conclusion to the 2024 season.
