Red Bull ELIMINATED as F1 team handed major championship.....

Red Bull ELIMINATED as F1 team handed major championship…..read more

Red Bull’s bid to extend their reign of double championship success in Formula 1 has come to an end following a disappointing performance at the 2024 Qatar Grand Prix. Despite Max Verstappen securing another victory at the Lusail International Circuit, his teammate Sergio Perez’s failure to score points in both the Grand Prix and the Sprint race has dashed the team’s hopes of retaining their constructors’ title. With only one race remaining in the season, Red Bull has mathematically been eliminated from contention for the constructors’ championship, finishing in third place, and they can no longer improve their position.

The 2024 season has seen Verstappen deliver consistently strong performances, adding another victory to his tally, which now stands at nine wins. As a result, the Dutch driver has already sealed his second consecutive drivers’ championship. However, his teammate Perez has struggled throughout the year. Perez’s failure to contribute significantly in Qatar, where he didn’t score any points, has left Red Bull unable to challenge for the top spot in the constructors’ standings. Despite Verstappen’s individual success, Perez’s lackluster performance this season has been a crucial factor in the team’s inability to defend their constructors’ crown.

The Qatar race weekend, which featured the final Sprint race of the season, offered all ten F1 teams a chance to collect vital points as the season draws to a close. McLaren capitalized on this opportunity, securing a one-two finish in the Sprint race. The team’s performance allowed them to close the gap to Ferrari in the constructors’ standings, setting up an intense final showdown for the title in Abu Dhabi. Although McLaren’s Oscar Piastri secured a third-place finish in the Qatar Grand Prix, it was not enough to push them ahead of Ferrari, especially after Lando Norris was handed a 10-second stop-go penalty, costing them valuable points. McLaren now faces a dramatic conclusion to the season, with their hopes of clinching their first constructors’ title since 1998 still alive but requiring a strong finish in Abu Dhabi.

Meanwhile, Ferrari, who have been McLaren’s closest competitors, remain in second place, just 21 points behind the leaders. Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz have performed admirably throughout the season, keeping Ferrari in contention for the championship despite McLaren’s surge in form. The upcoming Abu Dhabi Grand Prix promises to be a tense battle between the two teams, with the constructors’ championship likely to be decided in the final race.

Further down the standings, Mercedes, who are in fourth place, have been a consistent presence but are far from challenging for the title this season. The team has found itself overshadowed by the intense battle between McLaren and Ferrari for the championship. Mercedes drivers George Russell and Lewis Hamilton have had some notable moments, but they have not been able to mount a serious challenge to the frontrunners.

A notable improvement came from Alpine, who experienced a resurgence in Qatar, thanks to Pierre Gasly’s impressive fifth-place finish. The result boosted Alpine’s position in the constructors’ standings, pushing them up to sixth place and ahead of rivals Haas and VCARB. Alpine’s strong finish could provide a financial boost for the team as they aim to close out the season on a high note.

The Qatar Grand Prix also saw a dramatic turn in the battle for the lower spots in the standings. Alpine’s performance helped them distance themselves from teams like Haas and VCARB, who are fighting to maintain their positions in the top ten. Haas, led by Nico Hulkenberg, is currently in seventh place, while VCARB, which is managed by former champions like Daniel Ricciardo, is in eighth. These teams are battling for survival in the middle of the grid, with each point proving crucial to their final rankings.

With just one race left in the season, all eyes will now be on the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where the final constructors’ and drivers’ titles will be decided. Red Bull, despite their drivers’ success, will not be defending their constructors’ crown, while McLaren and Ferrari are set to clash in a nail-biting finale. The competition in the midfield is also expected to intensify, as teams like Alpine aim to finish strong and secure their place in the standings.

In the drivers’ championship, Max Verstappen’s lead is insurmountable, and he is set to finish the season as champion. The fight for second place is still ongoing, with Lando Norris from McLaren and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc both having a chance to finish as runners-up. As for Perez, his disappointing season has led to speculation about his future at Red Bull, with rumors suggesting he may leave the team in the coming year. As the season concludes, the final race in Abu Dhabi promises to be a dramatic and thrilling conclusion to what has been an unpredictable year in Formula 1.