Even if the competition for the championship is quiet, there are plenty of topics to talk about behind the scenes of F1 this time, writes Urheilu’s editor Simo Arkko.
Simo Arkkourheilhu journalist
When the 2023 F1 season ended three months ago, the series’ situation did not look very rosy for the next season.
Red Bull Max Verstappen won a record 19 races, when the season included 22 races. Although the battle behind Verstappen’s historical superiority was fiercer and more exciting, in sports often only the winners are remembered.
The 2024 season looks boring, to say the least. When the rules don’t change, according to expectations, Verstappen will press for the overwhelming championship again, and will not have challengers.
Neither does Urheilu’s expert Jukka Mildh could not promise major changes in power relations. The expert reminded that the champion garage also surprised everyone with its new car.
– Red Bull brings a completely new car concept to replace the world’s best F1 car until now. It shows that they still have something in their back pocket. They are still one step ahead. It’s a bit worrying, Mildh admitted.
Also Valtteri Bottas guessed Oskari Saaren on the podcast Oskar’s day, that Red Bull is still clearly ahead of everyone. Saari also asked Bottas, Does it feel like the gap is not as overwhelming as it was a year ago at this time.
– Not unfortunately. Yes, their performance in long races and in one round in the tests was such that no one is close yet. Especially at race pace, Bottas said in the podcast.
– I believe that is the situation when we start the early season. You always have to take it with a pinch of salt, because you never know what the teams will bring to the first race. That can change things, Bottas said.
The fact that, for example, Netflix tried to hide it in the sixth season of Drive to Survive tells about Red Bull’s fierce dominance. During the season, only a few glimpses of Verstappen’s superiority were shown and the focus was more on the challenges of, for example, Alpine and McLaren.
At the moment, it is likely that Netflix will not be able to catch up this season either Lewis Hamilton and an epic championship battle like Verstappen’s 2021.
However, Netflix will not be without drama, as Hamilton’s transfer to Ferrari for the 2025 season brings electricity to the transfer market and behind the scenes. After a few more stable seasons, the top teams are finally moving.
One of the biggest talking points is also Red Bull’s team manager by Christian Horner situation. The Dutch De Telegraaf by Horner was accused of sending sexual messages to his subordinate.
Red Bull said on Wednesday that an independent investigation found no evidence of inappropriate behavior. Vyyhti received new rounds as soon as Thursday, when an anonymous e-mail address sent messages to the media and team managers allegedly related to the case.
– I do not comment on anonymous speculations. But I repeat that I have always denied the allegations, Horner stated according to the BBC.
Horner assured that the team is more united than ever. However, it remains to be seen whether Horner’s situation will affect Red Bull’s dynamics in the new season.
However, one thing is certain. Even if the longest F1 season of all time turns out to be boring, there are plenty of things to talk about behind the scenes.