Amidst the buzz about the Drivers’ Championship contenders, Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, a surprising development has emerged: Ferrari, a team not initially in the spotlight, has made a significant push for both championships.

Ferrari’s triumph at the Austin Grand Prix has boosted its momentum and established it as a formidable competitive force. They sit just eight points behind Red Bull, with two drivers battling for podium finishes. Charles Leclerc is proving to be a fierce contender in the title chase.

One thing that sets Red Bull apart from other top teams is the disparity in performance between their drivers. Over the seasons, Sergio Pérez (Checo) has consistently pulled his weight, arguably contributing to Max Verstappen’s World Drivers Championship wins. However, his points took a turn in the 2024 season. This disparity is evident in their individual race performances and the points they contribute to the team.

While the first driver usually scores higher based on skill, the gap between Checo and Max is significantly larger each race than that of any other team.

Three names have repeatedly surfaced among commentators regarding who should leave Formula One:

• Logan Sargeant for Williams Racing
• Daniel Ricciardo for Visa Cash App RB
• Sergio Pérez for Red Bull Racing

Two of these drivers departed midway through the season, yet Checo remains and has renewed his contract for the next season. The departures of Sargeant, Ricciardo, and Pérez stem from performance issues, team dynamics, and contractual negotiations.

This situation is particularly unfair to promising young talents like Yuki Tsunoda, who has consistently outperformed his teammates, and Franco Colapinto, a mid-season F1 debutant who has already demonstrated his ability as a top-tier driver.

This will mark Mercedes’ lowest position in the Constructors’ Championship since 2012. The Mercedes car’s reliability issues have plagued them throughout the season. Following recent car upgrades, both George Russell and Lewis Hamilton spun out during the Austin weekend—an unusual occurrence for either driver.

While McLaren appears poised to win the Constructors’ Championship, the cards favour a fourth title for Max Verstappen.

But this is Formula One; anything can happen, and everything is still to play for.