F1 F1 2024 thread

[happy_eagle]

I found myself wondering last night if the Red Bull is still the fastest car in the field? Have the likes of McLaren and/or Ferrari overtaken them this season?

There's no doubt that Verstappen is the fastest driver. There's no doubt that they started the season as the fastest car, but recent updates to the McLaren and Ferrari cars have closed the gap to Red Bull significantly. Have they even overtaken them?

Seemingly gone are the days of Verstappen winning by 20 seconds, with Perez coming in 2nd. That sort of thing hasn't happened since China.

Since then...
Miami - Lando won, albeit with the benefit of safety car timing
Monza - Verstappen won, but only by 0.725 seconds. Sainz & Piastri both finished less than 20 seconds behind Max.
Monaco - LeClerc won, Piastri 2nd, Max 6th
Canada - Verstappen won, albeit with the benefit of safety car timing. Lando was only 3.9 seconds back, with Russell, Hamilton, Piastri & Alonso all within 20 seconds at the finish line.

That's 2 of the last 4 races won by non-Red Bulls, and another where Max probably wouldn't have won without the benefit of a fortuitous safety car.

2023 may have been the most one-sided season in history, but 2024 is shaping up to be an absolute belter, with McLaren, Red Bull & Ferrari all capable of winning on their day.

But is Max too far ahead due to early dominance to be caught ?

 

[Jatz]

I think he may be right but the problem is there isn't a clear enough 2nd to challenge Max.

At any given track, McLaren/Ferrari will challenge the Red Bull. But it won't be consistent enough to be a threat to the championship.

 

[Vader]

But is Max too far ahead due to early dominance to be caught ?

Max will win the Championship. Max in the current Red Bull, which is slightly slower than Ferrari & McLaren, is still the fastest driver in F1. He's just not 0.5 seconds per lap faster. Even with the other teams having closed the gap, he's still winning 60% of the races, and (Monaco aside) on the podium in the races he doesn't win.

... it does mean that Perez doesn't get close to the podium though.

 

[Jatz]

Max will win the Championship. Max in the current Red Bull, which is slightly slower than Ferrari & McLaren, is still the fastest driver in F1. He's just not 0.5 seconds per lap faster. Even with the other teams having closed the gap, he's still winning 60% of the races, and (Monaco aside) on the podium in the races he doesn't win.

... it does mean that Perez doesn't get close to the podium though.

That still says far more about Perez than it does the Red Bull.

I'm not convinced the Red Bull is slower either. Perhaps at some tracks but I think overall it's still the one to catch.

Really pleased the gap is closing significantly. Just need Mercedes to pull their fingers out. A four team battle at the top would be unreal.

 

[happy_eagle]

This week will be a real test at a very aero reliant track. Whoever is quick in Spain is going to be quick in most places.

 

[Vader]

That still says far more about Perez than it does the Red Bull.

I'm not convinced the Red Bull is slower either. Perhaps at some tracks but I think overall it's still the one to catch.

Really pleased the gap is closing significantly. Just need Mercedes to pull their fingers out. A four team battle at the top would be unreal.

Last year it was slow at Singapore, but faster at every other track.

This year it was slow at Monaco (Verstappen only qualified 6th), and on par with the others at every race since Miami. If it was just a one-off, then I'd agree with you - but it's been Miami, Monza, Monaco and Canada. That's a decent string of races, suggesting it's "some tracks" only.

It's making the season far more interesting, with 5 drivers genuinely in with a chance of winning each race.

 

[darth_timon]

I think the Red Bull is still the best overall car on the grid, even if it's show deficiencies at one or two tracks. Max will win the title at a canter, just not quite as far ahead as he was last year.

 

[gaskin]

I reckon the McLaren is the fastest car at the moment but Max is just in a league of his own. With how bad Checo is it is hard to really get a gauge on where the Red Bull is at. Put Max in either the Ferrari or McLaren and he is still getting the same results, IMO.

 

[Vader]

I reckon the McLaren is the fastest car at the moment but Max is just in a league of his own. With how bad Checo is it is hard to really get a gauge on where the Red Bull is at. Put Max in either the Ferrari or McLaren and he is still getting the same results, IMO.

That's my point... I don't think the Red Bull is the fastest car any more, but Max is still the fastest driver.

 

[Jatz]

Last year it was slow at Singapore, but faster at every other track.

This year it was slow at Monaco (Verstappen only qualified 6th), and on par with the others at every race since Miami. If it was just a one-off, then I'd agree with you - but it's been Miami, Monza, Monaco and Canada. That's a decent string of races, suggesting it's "some tracks" only.

It's making the season far more interesting, with 5 drivers genuinely in with a chance of winning each race.

You’ve said Monza twice now, you mean Imola.

The Red Bull certainly isn’t as quick on the street circuits. The race pace at the other tracks has still been pretty good.

This upcoming block will tell the story. The Spanish, Austrian, UK, Hungarian, Belgian, Dutch, Italian Grand Prix’s are the tracks I think they’re still quickest at. Time will tell.

 

[Sonny Hayes]

I really don't like Antonelli straight to Mercedes, the least they could do is place him in an F1 car with lesser expectations for a year to see how he translates to F1 before putting him in a car that's expected to win or podium. Doesn't seem fair or smart to load a kid up with expectation so early in his career.

I am not sure if the Antonelli and Bearman moves are good or not, i do think it is exciting for the sport though. I think both have talent and the sport needs some fresh blood. It definitely has some risks but that isn't always a bad thing.

 

[Vader]

You’ve said Monza twice now, you mean Imola.

Oops... you are, of course, correct.

The Red Bull certainly isn’t as quick on the street circuits. The race pace at the other tracks has still been pretty good.

This upcoming block will tell the story. The Spanish, Austrian, UK, Hungarian, Belgian, Dutch, Italian Grand Prix’s are the tracks I think they’re still quickest at. Time will tell.

Time will tell. I suspect the McLarens & Ferraris will continue to keep pace.

My tip for the trophies - McLaren to win the Constructors Championship (as Red Bull bleed points through Perez), with Max winning the Drivers Championship.

 

[Forward Press]

The flexing front wing is the issue.

Also reports ferrari have given Newey a 3yr deal worth 105 million.

If true, Hamilton is walking into a gold mine.

I reckon the McLaren is the fastest car at the moment but Max is just in a league of his own. With how bad Checo is it is hard to really get a gauge on where the Red Bull is at. Put Max in either the Ferrari or McLaren and he is still getting the same results, IMO.

Think we can say without a doubt Verstappen is the best driver on the grid at the moment. It's basically up to him now how long he's motivated to stay at the top, think he'll aim for 8 WDCs personally.

 

[happy_eagle]

If true, Hamilton is walking into a gold mine.



Think we can say without a doubt Verstappen is the best driver on the grid at the moment. It's basically up to him now how long he's motivated to stay at the top, think he'll aim for 8 WDCs personally.

Will Hamilton be around long enough to see the benefit of Newey though?

 

[gaskin]

Will Hamilton be around long enough to see the benefit of Newey though?

If Ferrari keep paying 100m a year then I would think so.

 

[Barrybran]

I hope Leclerc outperforms Hamilton at Ferrari

 

[happy_eagle]

If Ferrari keep paying 100m a year then I would think so.

I remember reading (or might have been one of the Sky pundits) saying that even if Newey moves to a team for next year, realistically any input he has into the car design won't be felt significantly until at least 2027.

 

[skam85]

I hope Leclerc outperforms Hamilton at Ferrari

I think he will

 

[Jatz]

I remember reading (or might have been one of the Sky pundits) saying that even if Newey moves to a team for next year, realistically any input he has into the car design won't be felt significantly until at least 2027.

Think that'd keep Lewis motivated enough to keep going until then.

 

[Not Important]

Think that'd keep Lewis motivated enough to keep going until then.

reckon hamilton will keep driving so long as he has a competitive car.

 

[imadodgyumpire]

I think he will

10 10ths will need counselling service if that happens. Aysedasi will give up on motorsport.

 

[Not Important]

does anyone really care, i wonder.

Official: Apple confirm release date for Hamilton and Pitt's Formula 1 film

Formula 1 and Apple Original Films have confirmed the F1 film starring Brad Pitt will be available to watch in cinemas around the world, including the United Kingdom, on 25 June 2025. It will launch in North America on June 27 2025. The film has been directed by Joseph Kosinski and produced by...

www.gpblog.com

 

[skam85]

10 10ths will need counselling service if that happens. Aysedasi will give up on motorsport.

haha nice to know someone else is on that site too

 

[Jatz]

does anyone really care, i wonder.

Official: Apple confirm release date for Hamilton and Pitt's Formula 1 film

Formula 1 and Apple Original Films have confirmed the F1 film starring Brad Pitt will be available to watch in cinemas around the world, including the United Kingdom, on 25 June 2025. It will launch in North America on June 27 2025. The film has been directed by Joseph Kosinski and produced by...

www.gpblog.com

Will watch it once it's out but not exactly counting down the days...

 

[Not Important]

Why Red Bull Could Lose the Development War to McLaren and Ferrari

Last year, we saw Red Bull and Max Verstappen dominate the Formula 1 grid. No one in F1 history has had a more dominant season than Max did last year, and as the 2024 season began, it looked as though Max would continue to dominate this year as well. However, McLaren and Ferrari have something...

fastestpitstop.substack.com