Lando Norris poses a significant challenge to Max Verstappen at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, alongside struggles with his own car. Verstappen aims to control his “monster” car and fend off Norris to protect his Formula 1 title, as Red Bull’s historic dominance in the motorsport seems to be in jeopardy with no wins in the last six races leading up to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Norris, now favored by McLaren over Oscar Piastri, will need Verstappen or Red Bull to falter for a chance to overcome the Dutch driver’s 62-point lead in the final eight races of 2024. The McLaren team sits just eight points behind Red Bull in the constructor’s standings, making it possible for the lead to shift during the upcoming race in Azerbaijan.
The emergence of new rivals, benefiting from Red Bull’s expertise, signals a changing landscape in Formula 1. Red Bull’s car design genius Adrian Newey’s departure to Aston Martin, known as “the team of the future”, emphasizes a long-term vision. Aston Martin eyes a car design tailored to exploit the new F1 regulations in 2026, drawing parallels to Red Bull’s success under Newey’s guidance in the past.
Additionally, key figures from Red Bull like sporting director Jonathan Wheatley departing for the new Audi works team in 2026 signify further changes within the racing world. Red Bull’s once-dominant car now faces challenges in improvement compared to McLaren and Mercedes, which boast more stable and adaptable designs.
The McLaren team’s recent implementation of “papaya rules”, favoring Norris, introduces a level of uncertainty despite boosting Norris’s title bid. The nature of these rules remains unclear, with questions surrounding how they influence race strategies and team dynamics between Norris and Piastri.
In practice sessions leading up to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Red Bull displayed improved performance with Verstappen topping the charts in the first session. However, crashes for other drivers caused disruptions, limiting track time for everyone. The practice sessions saw various drivers posting competitive lap times, setting the stage for an intriguing race.
Young talents like Oliver Bearman and Franco Colapinto are making waves in F1, with Bearman filling in for Haas in Baku and Colapinto impressing during his stint with Williams. These emerging talents bring fresh energy to the sport, adding excitement and unpredictability to the racing scene.
