As the first few races of the 2024 F1 season unfolded, Max Verstappen and Red Bull looked to be a force to be reckoned with after a string of victories. However, as the campaign progressed and the field narrowed, the Dutchman and his team’s top spot came under threat from a number of rivals.
With six different drivers taking race wins this season, the race for the top spot is becoming increasingly competitive and Red Bull will need to fight back in the second half of the season if they are to maintain their lead in the Constructors’ Championship.
By the numbers: 12 stats that show how competitive F1 is after the unmissable races of the first half of the 2024 season
With several names still mathematically capable of winning the last 10 races in 2024, everything is up for grabs. So who is most likely to challenge Verstappen and Red Bull? Let’s take a look at the candidates…
operator:
Lando Norris
The driver currently seen as the biggest threat to Verstappen in terms of both stats and form is Norris, with the McLaren driver sitting second in the standings.
Norris is 78 points behind the reigning champion, but has been praised for his performance so far this year, not only winning his debut in Miami, but also coming close to winning on other occasions.
TREMAYNE: It’s already been a landmark year for Norris. Now McLaren must decide exactly what they want from him.
After saying he needed a “reset” over the summer break following a few mistakes in recent races, it will be interesting to see if Norris returns with extra momentum and the will to compete with Verstappen when the campaign resumes.
