As the primary few races of the 2024 F1 season unfolded, Max Verstappen and Purple Bull regarded a power to be reckoned with after notching up a number of victories. Nevertheless, with the gaps amongst the sector closing in because the marketing campaign has progressed, the Dutchman and his workforce’s place on the high has come below menace from a lot of their rivals.
Six different drivers have claimed race wins throughout the season thus far, permitting for an more and more tight battle within the standings to develop, whereas Purple Bull might want to struggle again within the second half of the yr in the event that they wish to preserve their lead within the constructors’ championship.
It’s clearly all to play for, with a number of names nonetheless mathematically in with an opportunity of taking the struggle to the reigning world champions through the closing 10 races of 2024. So who’s most certainly to pose a problem to Verstappen and Purple Bull? Let’s check out the candidates…
The drivers:
Lando Norris
The person who presently appears to be Verstappen’s greatest menace – each when it comes to statistics and type – is Norris, with the McLaren driver in second place of the standings.
Whereas he is likely to be 78 factors away from the reigning champion, Norris has earned reward for his performances all year long thus far, having taken his debut victory in Miami in addition to coming agonisingly shut on different events.
After stating that he wanted a “reset” over the summer time break following some errors throughout current races, it will likely be fascinating to see if Norris returns with an added sense of momentum – and a readiness to battle Verstappen – when the marketing campaign resumes.