Final weekend’s British Grand Prix on the iconic Silverstone circuit served up one of many season’s finest races to this point. The famed fickle British summer season — intervals of superb sunshine interspersed with spells of rain — helped spice issues up on the entrance. As many as 5 drivers throughout three groups had been in competition for the win earlier than Lewis Hamilton took a file ninth victory on dwelling soil — essentially the most by any driver at one circuit — and his first since 2021.
With 12 races accomplished, the seventy fifth Method One championship has reached its midpoint. Lots has modified because the begin of the 12 months, and the dramatic upheaval within the pecking order means an intriguing second half of the 12 months beckons.
Dispiriting early indicators
In 2023, F1 noticed essentially the most one-sided marketing campaign within the sport’s historical past. Max Verstappen received an astounding 19 of the 22 races en path to his third drivers’ crown, whereas Purple Bull received 21. And when the identical mixture received 4 of the primary 5 races in 2024, there was trepidation it will be a repeat of the final two years, with Verstappen sleepwalking to the title with out a struggle.
Nevertheless, issues have turned thrilling over the past seven races. After the Chinese language GP, 4 totally different drivers and three groups aside from Purple Bull have climbed onto the rostrum’s prime step.
The current uptick within the type of McLaren and Mercedes — Ferrari is someplace within the combine, having received two races however is on a downward development — has reinvigorated the championship.
On the season’s midway stage, Verstappen and Purple Bull lead the drivers’ and constructors’ standings. Verstappen is 84 factors forward of Lando Norris, and Purple Bull has a 71-point lead over Ferrari. The frontrunners may seem comfy, however the aggressive order, very like the British climate, has turn out to be unpredictable, whetting the urge for food for the 12 remaining races.
Within the first third of the 12 months, Purple Bull and Ferrari had been the highest two, adopted by McLaren and Mercedes. However within the seven races beginning with the Miami GP, when McLaren introduced its first important improve, it has scored essentially the most factors, 199 in comparison with Purple Bull’s 178.
Shaking issues up: The current uptick within the type of McLaren and Mercedes — Ferrari is within the combine, however on a downward development — has reinvigorated the championship. | Picture credit score: Getty Pictures
The brand new components helped Norris win the Miami race, his first in F1. Since then, Purple Bull and McLaren have been on par, when it comes to tempo, with the latter even a nostril forward on some circuits.
Purple Bull has proven a exceptional capability to out-develop its rivals previously, however has struggled in current instances to tug away from the sphere. Will probably be fascinating to see how the reigning champion, which has misplaced technical genius Adrian Newey, develops the automobile by the remainder of the 12 months.
On the similar time, McLaren’s lengthy exile from preventing on the sharp finish has diminished its capability to grab moments. It arguably misplaced wins in Imola, Canada, Spain and Britain as a result of strategic errors and driver errors.
Max proves his price
At the same time as rivals have considerably eaten into Purple Bull’s benefit, Verstappen has proven why he’s broadly thought-about the very best driver on the grid and is so extremely paid. Although he doesn’t benefit from the important automobile benefit he as soon as did, the 26-year-old has proved his price by executing stellar drives to grab opportunistic wins in Imola, Canada and Barcelona.
Now that Purple Bull’s superiority has all however evaporated, Verstappen shall be compelled to battle wheel-to-wheel, one thing he hasn’t needed to fear about since 2022. Whereas he’s ruthless and sometimes medical in fight, he has additionally every so often crossed the road of what’s acceptable.
And all of it got here to the fore in Austria when the early-years Verstappen resurfaced, making an attempt to defend his lead from a hard-charging Norris. The three-time champion moved below braking, was aggressive after they had been alongside one another and triggered a collision, damaging each their automobiles and serving to George Russell take his second profession victory.

Compelled to struggle: With Purple Bull’s superiority evaporating, Max Verstappen shall be compelled to battle wheel-to-wheel, one thing he hasn’t needed to fear about since 2022. | Picture credit score: Getty Pictures
It was Mercedes’ first win since 2022 and the German marque appears to have discovered its toes after the struggles of the final two years, securing back-to-back wins in Austria and Britain. The ‘Three-pointed star’ was swift to choose up the items when the chance opened up.
The introduction of a brand new entrance wing in Monaco appears to have unlocked the automobile’s potential to be constant throughout a variety of situations.
Russell took pole place in Canada and Britain, exhibiting that his facet had caught as much as the frontrunners. Even when the race tempo nonetheless appears a couple of tenths per lap slower than Purple Bull and McLaren, the crew has, not less than, found the fitting path after being misplaced for a couple of years.
Not like McLaren and Mercedes, Ferrari has gone the opposite method. The Scuderia began out as Purple Bull’s closest challenger, successful in Australia (Carlos Sainz) and Monaco (Charles Leclerc) however has struggled within the developmental race. The upgrades launched in Imola and Spain appear to have failed. To make issues worse, Ferrari needed to take away these new components in Silverstone as a result of they launched dealing with points.
The shortage of tempo has compelled the Prancing Horse into adventurous methods corresponding to operating dry tyres on a moist monitor (Canada) and vice versa (Britain), in a determined bid to remain forward of the climate forecast. The Italian big may nonetheless be aggressive on sure tracks however the alarm bells ought to begin ringing in Maranello because it begins to slide additional behind.
For the reason that excessive of 2021, when Verstappen and Hamilton battled for the title till the final lap of the season, F1 has struggled to ship an intense, thrilling title struggle. Though 2021 was iconic, it was ultimately only a two-horse race.
F1 has longed for a scenario through which a number of constructors are in competition for victories, and out of nowhere in 2024, it has simply manifested. Extra importantly, the 4 groups which have received races this 12 months have excellent driver lineups, which permits for excellent racing.
A lot to play for
Although the titles are removed from completed — 336 factors (together with three Dash races) are up for grabs within the drivers’ championship — it’s arduous to see anybody push Verstappen off his perch. The Dutchman could reap the rewards of his early-season arduous work. Nevertheless, the constructors’ title, extra important as a result of it determines the groups’ prize cash, may be very a lot in play.
Each Ferrari and McLaren, 71 and 78 factors behind Purple Bull respectively, have objectively higher driver pairings than the reigning champion, which is overdependent on Verstappen. Sergio Perez has had a horrid seven-race stretch, scoring solely 33 factors and placing the power drinks big’s lead in jeopardy.
At first of the 12 months, many racing followers would have reluctantly settled for Verstappen and Purple Bull being made to sweat it out for wins, given their earlier dominance. Now, over the course of two months, issues have turned to such a level that not less than certainly one of Purple Bull’s titles is below risk. The stage has been set for an exhilarating second half. Carry it on!