In this podcast, the hosts discuss the big questions surrounding the 2024 F1 season. They analyze Red Bull's dominance, Mercedes' challenges, and Ferrari's progress. They also delve into Aston Martin's performance, the rebranding of Alpine, and the career trajectory of a successful Williams driver.
Red Bull's dominance is expected to continue in 2024 due to their early advantage and lack of pressure to develop, while rivals struggle to match their performance.
Mercedes aims to improve its car concept and compete against Red Bull's dominance, but it remains uncertain if they will get it right at the first attempt.
Alpine's lackluster performance and lack of ambition hinder their progress in Formula 1, seeming more like a marketing exercise than a serious racing team.
Deep dives
Red Bull's Dominance Continues in F1
Red Bull's dominance in Formula 1 is expected to continue in the upcoming season due to their early advantage in 2023 and the lack of pressure to develop hard in the first part of the season. The penalty Red Bull received in 2021 gave them a free pass to focus on their 2024 car, which is set to be a strong evolution of their successful RB19. Their rivals will have a hard time matching Red Bull's performance, and there are no significant regulation changes to tilt the playing field against them.
Mercedes Faces Challenges in Car Concept
Mercedes is aiming to improve its car concept after struggling in the past two years. They are aware of the wrong direction they took previously and are working to rectify it in the upcoming season. However, it remains uncertain if they will get the concept right at the first attempt. Even if they do, they will face the challenge of properly optimizing the car's performance and competing against Red Bull's consistent dominance. A good season for Mercedes would involve significant progress with the car and a few wins, while a genuine title threat would require a remarkable step forward.
Alpine's Lackluster Performance Raises Questions
Alpine, formerly known as Renault, faces doubts about its future in Formula 1. The lackluster performance of the team in recent years has raised questions about its purpose and ambition. The change to the Alpine brand has not resonated well with fans, and the team's mediocre performances have made them less relevant in the highly competitive field. The lack of motivation and desire from the team's ownership to aim higher than the mid-field has hindered their progress. Without a clear focus on performance and competitiveness, Alpine's presence in Formula 1 seems to be more of a marketing exercise rather than a racing team with serious ambitions.
Ferrari's Turnaround: Reasons for Optimism
Ferrari's recent turnaround gives hope for improvement. Despite known issues, Ferrari has shown progress in addressing them. The second half of last season saw increased transparency in acknowledging problems. The team's focus on culture and performance potential has instilled confidence. A new project seems to be gaining internal and external support, indicating a promising future.
Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri: McLaren's Exciting Driver Pairing
Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri form an exciting driver pairing for McLaren. Piastri's arrival should push Norris to continually perform at a high level. The challenge of a competitive teammate will prevent Norris from becoming too comfortable. Their dynamic could create problems for other teams. While Norris's future at McLaren may depend on the team's performance in 2024, the duo has the potential to be a formidable force.
As the calendar rolls into 2024, Scott Mitchell-Malm and Glenn Freeman join Edd Straw to pose (and attempt to answer) several big questions about the upcoming F1 season, including whether Mercedes will get their car concept right, whether Ferrari are back on the path to glory, and whether Alex Albon could be a pivotal player in the driver market.