What is F1? And who are McLaren and Redbull?
F1 is an international motorsport competition that spans 24 races, five continents, 21 countries, and 11 months. Started in 1950, ten teams compete on the grid, each with two drivers, to gain the most points at the end of the season. Ferarri is the most successful team in history, followed by Williams and McLaren. Within these teams, Red Bull and McLaren are currently the top two teams both scoring strongly in each race this season. Currently, McLaren is leading in the 2024 Constructors Championship, with drivers Lando Norris (GBR) and Oscar Piastri (AUS).
What is the Constructors’ Championship?
F1 has two championships running throughout the season: the World Drivers and World Constructors’ Championship. The Constructors’ (team) Championship is the total points scored by both drivers in the team from which there is a one to ten place battle. The Drivers’ Championship is the points scored by each driver, in places one to twenty. The current World Constructors’ Champion is Red Bull Racing, and the World Drivers’ Champion is Max Verstappen (NED) who drives for Red Bull alongside Sergio Perez (MEX).
Why are Mclaren and Red Bull in a ‘rivalry’?
With Verstappen leading the Drivers’ Championship, followed closely by Norris, the rivalry between the two teams stems significantly from their competitiveness. McLaren’s only improving its performance, and therefore challenging of Red Bull’s dominance. Since McLaren’s clear improvements to their car, their drivers have finished on 14 of the seven podiums (top three), the most of all the teams, while Red Bull is continuing the fight to get their lead back. The intense battle has sparked a range of thrilling races and crashes on track between all teams, creating a new passion for the sport, as both teams have been pushing to the absolute limits.
How did McLaren get head in the championship?
For the first time in ten years, following the 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, McLaren leads the Constructors’ Championship. Throughout this season, McLaren has seen several upgrades to their car. Ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, the team upgraded many of their internal systems, leading to Norris’ first win in F1. These upgrades have seen the team skyrocket in points, and Norris stated “on average, [McLaren] had the best car, for sure” after his second win at the Dutch Grand Prix. After 17 races in 2024, the team is sitting at 476 points – compared to just 302 at the end of 2023.
How is Red Bull facing up to McLaren?
Team Red Bull has been dominating the sport since 2021 and sits at 456 points at the 17th race mark. The team has been consistently improving their car in the season. Changes to the engine cover, and halo (put over the top if the cockpit to protect the drivers), were said to be “crucial for the rest of the season” by Verstappen. These upgrades however have led to Redbull finishing on only nine podiums (British and Dutch Grand Prix) in the 17 races. Breakdowns within the Red Bull team itself could see the team slowly drop from its run of victory. As such their head car designer, Adrian Newey, has left the team in favour of Aston Martin.
What are the possible outcomes for the 2024 season?
Mathematically, it is entirely possible for McLaren to win both the Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships. However, Red Bull is still looking to improve and take the trophy at the end of the season. At this point, it truely is anyone’s race but it is crucial for McLaren to continue pushing their drivers – and specifically Norris – to perform at their highest.