With Formula 1 there is often action not only on the track, but also off the track. And according to Ralph, that makes F1 the best sport there is to follow. Prior to the current F1 season, the year was already written off by many fans. Max Verstappen was lord and master in 2023 and it was not expected that anyone would come close to the Dutchman this year. Add to that zero changes in the line-up and you have the ideal recipe for a very boring season.
At least, that’s what you would think. But Formula 1 always knows a way to make itself interesting and 2024 is a textbook example of that. The prediction of many fans has come true this year. The outcome of most Grands Prix is known in advance, unless Verstappen has a brake disc that has been accidentally blocked by the team.
It is now even a challenge for fans to recite the rankings, outside of the position of the world champion, or to point out notable events on the track. And yet 2024 is one of the most exciting seasons in Formula 1 history.
Drama in de paddock
Even before the season started, this year is full of bizarre twists. The dismissal of Haas team boss Guenther Steiner has been forgotten by most, because so much has happened since then. Of course, Lewis Hamilton’s announcement to drive for Ferrari next year has been huge news.
And then came the rejection of Andretti as the eleventh team in Formula 1. That story also has a sequel, because the American Congress has now demanded answers from Liberty Media – the owner of F1. But all that pales in comparison to the saga surrounding Red Bull Racing. It all started with the news that team boss Christian Horner was being investigated for possible misconduct. That case has now grown into internal chaos within the team, with threats of dismissals, accusations on both sides and two camps within Red Bull playing hard against hard. That chaos has now led to the departure of Adrian Newey from Red Bull Racing. The technical director has decided to resign from his duties, reportedly because of Horner’s behavior. And the brilliant designer will not continue working on the Formula 1 car until 2025, the Brit will immediately resign his duties at Red Bull Racing and will only focus on the RB17, Red Bull’s first hypercar.
Newey’s announcement naturally also causes a lot of uncertainty within the team. Because who will be the next to leave? Verstappen has hinted at a departure before and it wouldn’t be a huge surprise if he indeed decides to move to another team.
The drama never stops in Formula 1 and fans who love it – including yours truly – are being served. There are no good times, bad times.
A small clique
Of course, Formula 1 is not the only sport in which there is drama. For example, football fans can also regularly gossip about juicy rumors or savor a new scandal. But there is still a big difference between F1 and many other sports.
The premier class of motorsport is a small, compact and exclusive group. There are only twenty drivers, ten teams and only a few ‘main players’. This makes all the drama a lot easier for fans to follow. In football you may have to follow dozens of clubs spread over several countries and then there are also countless transfers, which shift the relationships again.
Formula 1 is a good series in that respect. There is a cast that you get to know well and perhaps one or two new ‘actors’ will be added in the next season or someone will join the opposing team. The only difference is that there is no script, so it is always a surprise what will happen next in the F1 circus.
