Red Bull dominance continues as F1 rivals struggle with internal team battles

Red Bull Racing/Red Bull Content Pool

As the 2024 Formula One season progresses, Red Bull and Max Verstappen have maintained an overwhelming dominance on the grid, continuing a trend that sees Verstappen comfortably leading the championship battle. Despite a mechanical failure in Australia preventing him from sweeping every race so far, the Dutchman’s commanding performance leaves his competition grappling with consistency, both in their own ranks and against the seemingly untouchable Red Bull machine.

Red Bull: Verstappen vs. Perez
Max Verstappen: 110 points
Sergio Perez: 85 points

Verstappen has been near flawless, having yet to lose a qualifying or race where both Red Bull cars finished. Sergio Perez, while trailing his teammate by 25 points, has shown signs of improvement compared to last season. However, Perez has seemingly accepted his position as Red Bull’s secondary driver—a realization that likely secures his spot at the team through 2025. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has expressed confidence in Perez’s form, emphasizing the team's focus on extending his contract. Yet, with Verstappen in a league of his own, hopes for a genuine title battle have been dashed early.

Ferrari: Leclerc vs. Sainz
Charles Leclerc: 79 points
Carlos Sainz: 69 points

Ferrari has witnessed one of the closest intra-team battles this season. While Charles Leclerc leads the standings, Carlos Sainz has arguably been the stronger driver. Sainz remains the only non-Verstappen race winner this season, a feat that underscores his strong form—especially given that he missed the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix due to appendicitis, gifting Leclerc an additional 15 points. Sainz’s ability to perform under pressure has been evident as his 2025 contract remains unconfirmed. For Leclerc, a stronger performance in qualifying could be the key to regaining his edge, particularly as the two remain evenly matched on Saturdays.

Mercedes: Russell vs. Hamilton
George Russell: 33 points
Lewis Hamilton: 19 points

Mercedes has faced an unexpectedly tough start to 2024, with seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton enduring an uncharacteristically subdued season. Teammate George Russell has been the more consistent performer, finishing in the points consistently while also leading Hamilton 4-1 in qualifying. Hamilton’s confirmed move to Ferrari in 2025 has left questions about his motivation, a point denied by Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff, who praised Hamilton's professionalism. However, as Russell’s form continues to outshine Hamilton’s, speculation regarding the Briton’s mindset is bound to intensify, particularly with Ferrari’s Andrea Kimi Antonelli waiting in the wings for 2025.

McLaren: Norris vs. Piastri
Lando Norris: 58 points
Oscar Piastri: 38 points

Lando Norris continues to prove his credentials as one of F1's rising stars, securing McLaren's only two podiums this year and a pole position in Shanghai. His sophomore teammate, Oscar Piastri, remains highly regarded but trails Norris in qualifying 4-1. Despite Piastri's impressive rookie season, Norris’ consistency and ability to extract the most from McLaren’s package firmly position him as the team's leader. Piastri’s future remains bright, but Norris' contract through 2027 guarantees he will continue to steer the Woking-based team’s charge for the foreseeable future.

Aston Martin: Alonso vs. Stroll
Fernando Alonso: 31 points
Lance Stroll: 9 points

Fernando Alonso’s resurgence has continued into 2024, with the veteran Spaniard decisively outperforming teammate Lance Stroll. Alonso, who is 4-1 ahead in qualifying and 22 points clear of Stroll, has shown no signs of slowing down despite his advancing age. Stroll, the son of team owner Lawrence Stroll, remains a key figure at Aston Martin, but questions over his place have grown louder. Speculation that a stronger driver pairing—like Alonso and Ferrari’s Sainz—could elevate the team into serious title contention has gained traction. Stroll’s recent collision with Daniel Ricciardo in China has only fueled calls for a change in the driver lineup.

RB: Tsunoda vs. Ricciardo
Yuki Tsunoda: 7 points
Daniel Ricciardo: 0 points

Yuki Tsunoda has quietly emerged as one of the standout performers of the season, frequently outperforming teammate Daniel Ricciardo. Despite Ricciardo’s high-profile return to F1, his early struggles have left him trailing Tsunoda. While Ricciardo’s recent form has shown signs of improvement, Tsunoda's consistency has raised questions about Ricciardo's future at RB, especially with Red Bull Junior Liam Lawson waiting in the wings. The team remains optimistic that Ricciardo can turn his season around, but the pressure is on ahead of the Miami Grand Prix.

Haas: Hulkenberg vs. Magnussen
Nico Hulkenberg: 4 points
Kevin Magnussen: 1 point

Nico Hulkenberg has continued to impress in 2024, taking advantage of the limited opportunities at Haas. While the margin between Hulkenberg and teammate Kevin Magnussen may seem small, Hulkenberg has consistently delivered when it matters most. As rumors circulate about Hulkenberg’s potential move to Sauber next season, Haas faces a dilemma. Magnussen’s underwhelming performances, combined with speculation that Ferrari junior Oliver Bearman could join the team, raise concerns about Haas’ future lineup.

Williams: Albon vs. Sargeant
Alex Albon: 0 points
Logan Sargeant: 0 points

Although both Williams drivers have yet to score points, Alex Albon is widely regarded as the stronger performer within the team. Albon’s consistent ability to push the limits of his car has kept him in contention for points, while Logan Sargeant continues to struggle. With Albon leading the qualifying battle 4-0, it seems inevitable that Sargeant’s F1 career may come to an early end unless he can find a sudden turnaround in form.

Alpine: Ocon vs. Gasly
Esteban Ocon: 0 points
Pierre Gasly: 0 points

Alpine has endured a tough start to the season, with neither Esteban Ocon nor Pierre Gasly scoring points. Ocon has maintained the upper hand, leading Gasly in both qualifying and race finishes. With both drivers out of contract at the end of the year, the looming presence of Alpine junior Jack Doohan makes their future uncertain.

Sauber: Bottas vs. Zhou
Valtteri Bottas: 0 points
Zhou Guanyu: 0 points

Sauber’s struggles have left both Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu point-less so far this season. Bottas has consistently outperformed Zhou, but both drivers face uncertain futures as Sauber looks to rebuild ahead of 2025. Zhou’s chances of staying in F1 seem slim unless he can reverse his fortunes soon.

As Formula One heads towards its next round in Miami, Red Bull and Verstappen remain untouchable, while many of their rivals are left battling internal team dynamics and chasing consistency.

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