the referee who might nonetheless win the 2024 F1 world championship

October 7, 2024

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Can Ferrari struggle for the 2024 System 1 constructors’ championship till the top of the season? This query begins right now’s article. A query that our editorial employees has already addressed on a number of events.

Earlier than shifting on to Ferrari and the Maranello workforce’s prospects for the ultimate a part of the championship, let’s shift focus to the close to way forward for System 1. After years of stagnation within the driver market, we’re at present witnessing an actual revolution that can change issues within the coming months.

If you concentrate on it, Crimson Bull has determined to advertise Liam Lawson because the lead driver at Racing Bulls, abruptly firing the “previous guard” Daniel Ricciardo. Italian supervisor Flavio Briatore, with Alpine, has already promoted Jack Doohan. The prodigal son of Maranello, Oliver Bearman, has secured a seat at Haas for subsequent yr. Kimi Antonelli is about to reach at Mercedes, introduced by Toto Wolff as an official driver. To not point out the various rumors that the Argentine Franco Colapinto might discover a seat in System 1. We’re speaking about 5 new younger drivers who can be on the beginning grid.

It has been a very long time since such a broad generational turnover has been seen in an important class of motorsport. Doing a little math, 25% of the drivers who can be on the grid subsequent yr weren’t current on the beginning line of the 2024 racing marketing campaign. A exceptional reality, to say the least. Nonetheless, it have to be stated that there are different a lot “older” drivers who proceed to be a part of the grid, comparable to Fernando Alonso or the subsequent Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton. Some groups choose to not wager on new expertise however depend on the so referred to as “tried and examined” drivers.

A apply which will or could not work. On this regard, can we are saying that the present technology of System 1 vehicles is simpler to drive than these of the current previous? Who is aware of… Or perhaps the brand new drivers are merely a lot better ready. Many are ignoring this duality of thought concerning those that sit in an F1 automobile and grip the steering wheel throughout race weekends. It’s a matter that ought to be addressed extra rigorously, because it might result in a number of fascinating reflections. At this level, let’s transfer on to Ferrari and what stays of the 2024 System 1 championship.

After the primary races of the 2024 racing marketing campaign, with none doubt, we couldn’t have imagined an autumn just like the one that’s about to reach. The final impression, on the finish of spring, was that, though not as clearly as in 2023, Crimson Bull might win two extra championships with out an excessive amount of effort given the efficiency of Ferrari, McLaren and Mercedes within the first races. A championship that, up till now, has seen seven completely different winners, with 4 completely different groups elevating their colours on the highest step of the rostrum. How great. Exactly for that reason, we can not assist however reiterate a thought: each F1 championship standings are nonetheless open.

There are nonetheless six races left, three Dash Races, and the much-discussed further “bonus level” for the quickest lap. It has been a number of years since we skilled such an intense and spectacular finale. From an goal viewpoint, for System 1, it’s a second of nice magnificence. Additionally it is price stating that, when issues went nicely in the course of the championships of the final 15 years, there have been solely two groups combating to win. Whereas this yr, we’ve got seen 4 groups present the power to compete for victory at varied moments of the season. The fascinating reality is that this: not understanding who can have the perfect playing cards to play within the subsequent race.

Making a prediction is all the time difficult, nonetheless a thought is important: after the Miami Grand Prix, the Englishman Lando Norris was 52 factors behind championship chief Max Verstappen. Whereas, seven races later, the hole has solely narrowed by a single level. Due to this fact, being rational, the Dutchman from Crimson Bull ought to be capable of verify himself as champion. On the similar time, it is usually true that the 2 McLaren MCL38 vehicles have proven a distinct tempo on any observe. That’s why, in the event that they cease losing efficiency and handle to attain a few one-two finishes within the subsequent races, clearly with Lando Norris in entrance, Max Verstappen can be in deep trouble.

From Singapore to the USA Grand Prix in Austin, the assorted groups have time to greatest put together the ultimate developments on the vehicles and end the final a part of the championship at peak efficiency. Max Verstappen has a transparent benefit: if Lando Norris, for any purpose, suffers a retirement, his championship is over consequently. The world champion is placing collectively a collection of superlative performances, not like his Crimson Bull teammate. Simply consider the Singapore Grand Prix, the place he contributed considerably with the second place within the qualifying session, which, actually, paved the best way for him to succeed in the second step of the rostrum on Sunday and as soon as once more be capable of restrict the harm.

When the crimson automobile reveals the supposed leap in high quality, one thing all the time occurs routinely. These are moments the place it’s reputable to have hope till, in fact, the chilly bathe arrives proper on time. There’s a curiosity that grips followers. We’re all ready to see how Ferrari workforce principal Frederic Vasseur, nonetheless Ferrari’s technical director amongst different issues, will christen the newest improvements on the Ferrari SF-24 from the Austin Grand Prix. It’s an fascinating dialogue, contemplating the truth that if the Italian automobile performs strongly (or much more so) like within the final races, the Prancing Horse might turn into the referee of the 2024 System 1 championship.

If Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc handle to get in between McLaren and Crimson Bull and even, on sure events, keep forward of the Woking vehicles, the state of affairs would change radically. This context might even maintain the constructors’ championship open if Ferrari is ready to take down their opponents within the subsequent two races. At this stage of the season, the efficiency benefit of the MCL38 is really important. Nevertheless, the break will convey perception and, as talked about, might enable Ferrari and Mercedes to make a comeback.

However, if we take into consideration Ferrari after the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, the probabilities of successful each races, specifically the Azerbaijan Grand Prix and the Singapore Grand Prix for Charles Leclerc have been fairly reasonable. The Monegasque driver might have achieved it on the Baku Metropolis circuit with out the error after the pit cease. A missed alternative that weighs closely. In the meantime, on the Marina Bay avenue circuit, with a distinct outcome within the qualifying session, no less than second place was undoubtedly throughout the attain of automobile quantity 16. That’s why we should speak about an ever-evolving context that may be very attractive. It’s definitely not simple, however based mostly on what we’ve got seen throughout this System 1 season, it wouldn’t be smart to rule out any aggressive state of affairs.

However, contemplating every little thing we’ve got stated, if McLaren manages to lose the constructors’ championship, it might be fairly an image to border, in a unfavourable sense, in fact. At this stage of the season, the supremacy of the MCL38 is really important. A automobile that works brilliantly on each sort of observe. So, we eagerly await developments, with the notice that, a method or one other, this System 1 championship can be remembered as some of the fascinating within the panorama of recent F1. Particularly if Ferrari manages to drag off the so-called main coup.”