Red Bull DEMOTED after FIA hit F1 champions with multiple penal...

Red Bull DEMOTED after FIA hit F1 champions with multiple penal…read more

The Red Bull Formula 1 team has been dealt a significant blow after a challenging performance at the 2024 Mexican Grand Prix, losing ground in both the Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships due to multiple penalties handed out by the FIA. The once-dominant team, led by star driver Max Verstappen, now finds itself trailing behind McLaren, with Verstappen’s fourth consecutive drivers’ title also hanging in the balance.

Red Bull’s struggles started earlier in the season, with McLaren closing in on their championship lead. The breakthrough came at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where McLaren surpassed Red Bull to take the top spot in the Constructors’ standings. McLaren’s drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, have consistently delivered strong performances throughout the season. Piastri’s victory in Baku, combined with Norris’s consistent podium finishes, solidified McLaren’s position as the leading team this year, marking a potential first constructors’ title since 1998.

Meanwhile, Red Bull’s troubles deepened in Mexico City. Verstappen faced an FIA-issued 20-second penalty, while his teammate, Sergio Perez, struggled to keep up with the field. Verstappen managed a sixth-place finish despite the penalty, but it wasn’t enough to secure the points Red Bull desperately needed to stay competitive in the Constructors’ standings. Perez’s ongoing challenges, compounded by his uncertain future in Formula 1, have further dampened Red Bull’s championship hopes, with the team now slipping to third place in the standings behind Ferrari.

Ferrari, benefiting from strong showings by Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, has also capitalized on Red Bull’s misfortunes. Sainz claimed victory in Mexico, while Leclerc secured a solid third-place finish. Their combined efforts have propelled Ferrari to second in the Constructors’ standings, relegating Red Bull to third. The Mexican Grand Prix highlighted Ferrari’s resurgence, as they gained crucial points and bolstered their position in the championship race.

The outcome of the Mexican Grand Prix has intensified the battle for the Drivers’ Championship as well. Verstappen remains the leader with 362 points, but his advantage over Norris has dwindled to 47 points. Norris’s consistency and competitive pace make him a serious contender for the title, with Ferrari’s Leclerc not far behind in third place with 291 points. Piastri sits fourth with 251 points, while Sainz’s recent win places him in fifth with 240 points.

As the season approaches its final stages, Verstappen’s lead in the Drivers’ Championship remains under threat, and his chances of securing a fourth title may depend on Red Bull’s ability to overcome their current challenges. With Ferrari and McLaren both in contention for race wins, Verstappen must deliver strong performances to fend off his rivals.

The current top ten in the Drivers’ standings reflects the competitive landscape of this season: Verstappen leads with 362 points, followed by Norris (315), Leclerc (291), Piastri (251), Sainz (240), Lewis Hamilton (189), George Russell (177), Perez (150), Fernando Alonso (62), and Nico Hulkenberg (31).

Red Bull’s recent setbacks, combined with consistent performances from McLaren and Ferrari, have reshaped the championship picture, setting the stage for an exciting finale to the 2024 season.