Red Bull Formula 1 Team Faces Demotion Following Brazilian GP....

Red Bull Formula 1 Team Faces Demotion Following Brazilian GP….read more

The Red Bull Formula 1 team has received disappointing news after the recent Brazilian Grand Prix, with the FIA confirming a demotion in the 2024 standings despite promising performances from their drivers.

Max Verstappen, Red Bull’s star driver, achieved a remarkable comeback victory at Interlagos after starting the race from 17th position due to a series of misfortunes in qualifying and an engine penalty. His performance was hailed as one of the best of his career, showcasing not just speed but also an emotional celebration on the podium. This win was crucial for Red Bull, especially after a string of underwhelming results in recent races.

Currently, Verstappen leads the drivers’ standings with 393 points, while his closest title rival, Lando Norris, trails behind with a significant gap of 62 points. Charles Leclerc of Ferrari is positioned third, but his chances of contending for the title appear slim after a lackluster performance at the Brazilian GP, where Ferrari struggled for pace throughout the weekend.

In the lead-up to the race, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner had expressed low expectations for a podium finish. Instead, he and senior advisor Helmut Marko were focused on the performances of the junior team, Visa Cash App RB. With both Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda starting in the top five, the team hoped for strong results to bolster their standings and potentially secure a seat for Lawson in the main Red Bull lineup by 2025.

However, the outcome of the race did not go as planned for Visa Cash App RB. Tsunoda, who started in third, managed to defend his position initially but fell back to seventh by the end. Lawson, starting fifth, also lost ground, finishing in ninth. Their inability to secure points during the race ultimately led to the team’s demotion in the constructors’ standings. In a surprising turn of events, Alpine achieved a double podium finish, allowing them to surpass Red Bull in the standings.

Following the Brazilian Grand Prix, the constructors’ standings revealed McLaren leading with 593 points, followed by Ferrari at 557 points. Red Bull, with Verstappen’s win, was pushed into third place overall with 544 points, but Visa Cash App RB slipped to eighth place with just 44 points.

Drivers’ Standings Post-Brazilian GP

The drivers’ standings reflect Verstappen’s commanding lead, followed by Norris and Leclerc. Sergio Perez, Verstappen’s teammate, remains in eighth with 151 points, while Tsunoda is in 11th with 28 points. Other notable drivers include George Russell and Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes, who are competing closely for points.

With three races remaining in the season, including the upcoming Las Vegas GP on November 23, Verstappen is in a strong position to secure his fourth championship title. There are a total of 86 points available across the remaining races, which includes 26 points for each grand prix win (25 for first place plus one for the fastest lap) and an additional eight points for winning the Qatar Sprint on December 1.

For Verstappen to clinch the title in Las Vegas, several scenarios could play out. He could win the race outright, finish one position behind Norris while still placing in the top nine, or secure third or fourth while also earning the fastest lap. Conversely, if Norris finishes in 9th or 10th place or outside the points, that would further solidify Verstappen’s path to the championship.

As the season draws to a close, all eyes will be on the next race in Las Vegas, where Verstappen will look to build on his Brazilian victory and edge closer to a historic fourth title. With each race, the pressure mounts, not just for him but also for his rivals, making the upcoming events critical for all teams involved.