In Formula 1, Red Bull Racing’s remarkable dominance over the past two seasons has been a force to be reckoned with. They have secured victory in 35 of the last 41 Grands Prix, along with back-to-back championship doubles. In stark contrast, Mercedes, once the unrivaled powerhouse, has managed only a solitary race win and now finds itself locked in a fierce battle with Ferrari for the runner-up position in the standings, while Red Bull soars into the distance.
The situation becomes even more daunting when considering that Red Bull has a potential head start for the 2024 season. Their consistent success has afforded them the luxury of commencing work on their 2024 car earlier than their competitors. Furthermore, the budget cap penalty, imposed on Red Bull on October 26 last season, has now expired, enabling them to fully utilize their ATR (Additional Technical Resource) allowance.
To make matters even more challenging for their rivals, an increasing number of teams, with Haas being the latest example, are embracing the Red Bull downwash philosophy in car design. This philosophy emphasizes creating a car that performs optimally in the turbulent wake of other cars, and Red Bull has a deeper understanding of this concept than their competitors.
These factors have led former team boss Eddie Jordan to share his insights on TalkSPORT, stating that “Adrian [Newey], the chief technical officer at Red Bull, tells me that he feels that the evolution of what they have achieved at the moment is going to be so difficult for anyone to catch up with.”
Mercedes, fully aware of the Red Bull threat, shares their concerns about the 2024 season. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes’ star driver, voiced his apprehensions following his runner-up result at the Mexican Grand Prix. He expressed confidence in the Mercedes team’s ability to build a formidable car but noted that they haven’t achieved that in the past two years. Nevertheless, Hamilton emphasized that they are making progress and that the team is comprised of dedicated engineers focused on finding their unique path to success.
However, Hamilton’s concerns stem from the fact that Red Bull is also making significant progress for the 2024 season, potentially negating any strides Mercedes may make. The battle for supremacy in Formula 1 is poised to intensify, and the competition is at the heart of the sport’s appeal. The 2024 season is shaping up to be a captivating chapter in Formula 1’s history.
