Red Bull Racing still have something to race for at the final two weekends of the 2024 Formula 1 season even if Max Verstappen has once again achieved their main objective.
The Constructors’ Championship looks out of reach for Red Bull despite Max Verstappen having a 63-point lead over his closest rival.
Sergio Perez has failed to live up to expectations and it seems very unlikely that he and Verstappen will be able to overtake McLaren and Ferrari in the standings.
Verstappen has had to overcome some serious hurdles this season on his way to the title.
After winning seven of the first 10 races, the Dutchman has been dealing with a car that has some fundamental issues.
Red Bull apologised to Perez for failing to listen to his criticisms of the RB20 and its all-conquering predecessor.
However, Verstappen has also had to deal with some tricky duels on the track as well.
Lando Norris and Verstappen have clashed on several occasions, with the Dutchman doing what he needed to either retain his position or prevent Norris from making up too much ground on him.
Journalist Lawrence Edmondson was speaking on the F1 Strategy Report about Verstappen’s performance at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
While the 27-year-old was uncharacteristically passive, Edmondson noted one move that may have worried those on the Red Bull pit wall.
Red Bull ‘worried’ whenever Lewis Hamilton is in Max Verstappen’s mirrors
Lewis Hamilton and Verstappen have had some incredible duels over the years, particularly throughout the 2021 season.
Hamilton had a far superior car to Verstappen in Las Vegas but found himself making up ground after a poor performance in qualifying.
Talking about the Dutchman’s performance in Sin City and Hamilton’s drive through the pack, Edmondson said: “It just looked so much like it was Max’s title to take away from race two or three, so to have that all turn around, but then still show the maturity to go and just grind out the results, which is exactly what he did in Vegas.
“We also had that message during the race to him just to say, look, you know what your race is, you know why you’re here, you know what you need to achieve, don’t do anything you don’t need to.
“I think that was actually when Lewis was closing him down and when Lewis is in Max’s mirrors, I imagine Red Bull do get slightly worried that perhaps he’ll lose sight of what really matters.
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“And of course, that was the title, but he didn’t, he was spot on.
“And I think it is just another level to Max. It’s not to say that he didn’t have that before, but the last two years have been very easy for him.
“Then this one, it was a real challenge in a very different way to 2021, but he was more than up to it. So it just shows how complete the driver he is.”
Max Verstappen could face a fresh challenge from Lewis Hamilton next season
Hamilton has only scored 208 points this season and Verstappen could double his tally by the end of the season.
Since their battle in 2021, Hamilton hasn’t had the car at Mercedes to challenge the four-time world champion.
His victories at Silverstone and Spa this season were the exception rather than the rule, but when he moves to Ferrari in 2025, that could quickly change.
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Ferrari will expect to be one of the favourites to win the Constructors’ Championship next year and both Hamilton and Charles Leclerc will fancy their chances of winning the title.
Red Bull still need to take steps forward over the winter to be on the same level as Ferrari and McLaren.
However, Verstappen is very much their trump card and seems to be able to outperform any car he’s given.
