After a summer break of several weeks, Formula 1 returns to the Zandvoort race track for an exciting season finale. For many teams, this break came at the right time, as they face various challenges before the last race in Abu Dhabi.

Red Bull and its second driver

One of the first surprises of this restart is Red Bull’s decision to keep Sergio Perez for the rest of the season despite mixed performances. The announcement, which came the day after the Belgian Grand Prix, surprised some observers. Perez, who is struggling to find his pace behind the wheel of the RB20, has now dropped to seventh in the championship with 131 points, 146 points behind teammate Max Verstappen.

This considerable gap is a cause for concern for the Austrian team, especially since McLaren currently seems to have the most competitive car. With a 42-point deficit in the constructors’ championship, the Woking-based team could take advantage of Perez’s poor performance to snatch the title from Red Bull, which it has held for two years. However, Red Bull team boss Christian Horner remains confident in the Mexican driver and believes that potential replacement drivers would not offer better guarantees. According to Horner, Perez just needs to regain his confidence to get back to the top of his career.

However, this strategy is reminiscent of the situation Mercedes was in with Valtteri Bottas in 2021. Red Bull could pay a high price for this, especially since they only have one powerful driver, while McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes each have two competitive drivers. The end of the season looks exciting for the Austrian team.

Can McLaren dethrone Red Bull?

The fates of McLaren and Red Bull are crossing paths this season. While Red Bull dominated the early stages of the 2024 season, McLaren fought alongside Mercedes for top-five positions. But since the Miami Grand Prix, the dynamic has reversed: McLaren now seems to have the car to beat, while Red Bull is struggling to keep up with the pace.

With a 42-point deficit and a faster car, McLaren is in a position to challenge for a title that has eluded them since 1998. However, the British team still has a number of issues to address, particularly optimising its race weekends. Strategic errors such as those in Canada with Lando Norris or at Silverstone with Oscar Piastri, as well as poor starts, have proved costly for the team.

McLaren’s goal for the end of the season will be to remain consistent and avoid mistakes, otherwise they will miss out on the title.

Personnel problems at Red Bull

In addition to the car’s declining performance, Red Bull is facing a wave of departures within its technical team. The first shock came with the announcement of the departure of Adrian Newey, the engineering genius who contributed significantly to the team’s success. Then there is the departure of Jonathan Wheatley, sporting director for 18 years, who will join Mattia Binotto at Audi.

Despite Red Bull’s efforts to minimise the impact of these departures, the loss of two key figures raises questions about the team’s ability to maintain its performance levels. Internal tensions, particularly between Christian Horner and the Verstappen camp, have only added to this uncertainty. It remains to be seen whether Red Bull can overcome these challenges.

Is Alpine still in a state of instability?

Changes are piling up at Alpine. During the Belgian Grand Prix, Bruno Famin announced his resignation after just 12 months as team boss. Alpine has chosen Oliver Oakes, former team manager of Hitech in Formula 2, as his successor. This choice is part of the desire to get out of the bad phase in which the French team is currently going, which has only scored 11 points this season.

Alpine is also looking to the future: negotiations are currently underway to introduce Mercedes engines from 2026. This decision marks the end of the Viry-Châtillon era, a transition that is not without tension within the team. The next ten races will be crucial to assess the direction Alpine is taking.

F1 teams are looking for a second driver

Alpine also needs to find a replacement for Esteban Ocon, who is moving to Haas. After the failed negotiations for Carlos Sainz, several options remain on the table, including reserve drivers Jack Doohan and Victor Martins, with the Australian apparently preferred.

Internal departures and disappointing performances are a concern at Audi. With Carlos Sainz opting for Williams, the team must decide whether to keep one of its current drivers or to rely on a young talent. Gabriel Bortoleto, a Formula 2 driver, and Alex Palou, an IndyCar driver, have been mentioned as possible replacements. A decision must be made quickly so that both teams can concentrate on their performances.

What future for Daniel Ricciardo?

Finally, Daniel Ricciardo’s situation remains uncertain. Although his teammate Yuki Tsunoda often had the edge over him, the Australian managed to keep his place at Racing Bulls for the rest of the season. However, unlike Tsunoda, he does not yet have a contract for 2025.

Helmut Marko is pushing to make Racing Bulls a true Red Bull junior team and promises to give Liam Lawson a seat next year, which could mean the end of Ricciardo’s F1 career. However, there is still hope for the Australian: if Sergio Perez continues to disappoint, Red Bull might not keep him, freeing up a seat for Ricciardo. Even if Lawson is promoted, it is possible that Ricciardo will stay with Racing Bulls.

All these uncertainties make the end of the season particularly exciting, with numerous upheavals to be expected in several teams.