Max Verstappen began the 2024 Formula 1 season much like he ended 2023: at the top of his game. With Red Bull’s Adrian Newey-designed RB20 car setting new benchmarks in aerodynamic efficiency and power, Verstappen cruised to victory in nearly every race from the season opener through to the Spanish Grand Prix. It seemed almost inevitable that he would claim a fourth consecutive World Championship.

Early Season: Unstoppable Force

By the time Formula 1 arrived in Spain, Verstappen had amassed an astounding 303 points over 16 races, leading his closest competitors by a wide margin. Lando Norris, in second place, had only 241 points—a clear indicator of Verstappen’s superior performance. In the early races, Max was practically untouchable. His confidence behind the wheel, combined with Red Bull’s technical prowess, left rivals scrambling to even challenge him. Up to Spain, Verstappen had won the majority of races, often securing pole positions and fastest laps, extending his lead with each passing weekend. However, as the paddock moved to Austria, the tide began to turn.

The Turning Point: Austria and Beyond

It was the Austrian Grand Prix where the cracks in Verstappen’s season began to show. In a surprising twist, Verstappen finished behind several key rivals. Carlos Sainz, George Russell, and Oscar Piastri all outscored him, marking the first time all season that he was comprehensively beaten by so many competitors. From that race onwards, Verstappen’s performance faltered. The once-dominant driver started losing ground to the likes of Lewis Hamilton, Lando Norris, and Charles Leclerc. Verstappen’s subsequent races in Great Britain, Hungary, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Italy saw a steady decline in his results. Drivers like Lando Norris, Lewis Hamilton, and Carlos Sainz regularly outscored him, casting doubt on his ability to retain the championship lead.

The Red Bull Turmoil: Horner’s Scandal and Newey’s Exit

Max’s dip in form coincided with off-track controversies at Red Bull Racing. Team principal Christian Horner was embroiled in a scandal that shook the paddock and likely affected the team’s internal dynamics. Rumors swirled about financial irregularities, which were promptly investigated by the FIA. Though the full details were kept under wraps, it became clear that the Red Bull camp was facing significant distractions.

To add fuel to the fire, the legendary Adrian Newey—Red Bull’s chief technical officer and the mastermind behind some of the most dominant cars in F1 history—announced his departure from the team. Newey’s engineering brilliance had been key to Verstappen’s early dominance, and his absence was immediately felt on the development side. The timing of Newey’s departure aligned almost too perfectly with Verstappen’s decline in performance. Without Newey’s steady hand guiding the team’s car development, Red Bull struggled to maintain the advantage they enjoyed at the start of the season.

A New Landscape for the Championship

Verstappen’s sudden downturn opened the door for other drivers to challenge his supremacy. Lando Norris, Charles Leclerc, and Lewis Hamilton seized the opportunity, closing the points gap and injecting new life into a season that once seemed destined to end in Verstappen’s favor. As of the latest races, the championship race is wide open, with Verstappen’s rivals closing in rapidly.

Conclusion: What Lies Ahead?

Max Verstappen’s dominance up until Spain in the 2024 season now feels like a distant memory. The Austrian Grand Prix marked a pivotal point in his campaign, as his performance took a significant hit. Coupled with the internal turmoil at Red Bull—due to Christian Horner’s scandal and the loss of Adrian Newey—Verstappen’s path to a fourth title is no longer as clear-cut. While Verstappen still has the potential to bounce back, the second half of the season has proven that the competition is fiercer than ever, and Red Bull is not the untouchable force it once appeared to be. Only time will tell if Verstappen can regain his footing or if this season will mark the beginning of a new era in Formula 1.