The second half of the F1 season is underway, and we will see an intense battle for second in the drivers’ and constructors’ championships.
The first half of the season concluded in Belgium where it was wet most of the weekend. Long before the first half of the season was over, it is more than clear who was going to take both the Formula 1 drivers’ and Formula 1 constructors’ championships. Max Verstappen and Red Bull are the obvious recipients, respectively.
Red Bull has won 12 out of 12 races this season thus far. Max Verstappen has claimed victory at 10 of those races. His teammate Sergio Perez claimed victory in the other 2. The Austrian-based team have been untouchable, especially when their strong and dominant package is paired with the Dutchman. The RB19 has a huge advantage over the rest of the field.
Verstappen comfortably sits at the top with a total accumulation of 314 points so far. Red Bull sit comfortably at the top with 503 points to their name. No one can take the crown from Max or his team. However, whoever will be named the best of the rest in both championships is yet to be determined.
Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton
Mercedes are currently the runners-up in the Formula 1 constructors’ championship with 247 points. The team has arguably the best line-up on the grid with Lewis Hamilton and George Russell. This explains why a team with a car that is as unpredictable and uncompetitive as the W14 has managed to sit behind Red Bull ahead of the rest. In every race this year, at least one of their cars has finished within the top seven.
Lewis Hamilton has performed well for his team this season and has acquired 148 points himself. Despite struggling with the car, he has managed 4 podiums and has 8 top 5 finishes.
Team Principal, Toto Wolff, has hinted that much of their planned development between now and the end of the season will be aimed at their 2024 car. However, Wolff has insisted that the desire to finish second will push them to improve the 2023 car as well.
Zandvoort is a track that seems to suit the Mercedes well. So the upgrades they’ve brought this weekend might work in their favour. For the remainder of the season, Interlagos might also work out just as well for them as they have in the past. The other tracks are not necessarily well suited for the 8-time champions, but if Lewis Hamilton keeps performing well, he might just get himself and Mercedes into 2nd in both championships.
Aston Martin and Fernando Alonso
Sitting third in the constructors with 196 points is Aston Martin. Their strongest driver, Fernando Alonso is 3rd in the drivers’ standings with 149 points. Unlike Mercedes, their driver pairing hasn’t proven to be as strong.
Fernando Alonso has managed to score 6 podiums, whilst his teammate hasn’t managed a top 3 finish all season. Stroll has managed only 1 top 5 finish. So far, his point accumulation and performances have not been a big part of getting the team to 3rd in the Formula 1 constructors’ Championship, and unless he can step up in the second half of the season, Fernando Alonso will have to work that much harder to secure 2nd for his team.
Aston Martin started the season strong. After the first race of the season, Red Bull did look far ahead. But, it was assumed that because Aston Martin were already quite fast, they were only a few upgrades away from catching up to Red Bull. That proved not to be the case as the upgrades that Aston Martin brought to Canada seemed to have slowed the team down, as they later reported. However, there are speculations that a link to an FIA clampdown on flexible bodywork is the reason for the drop in pace.
Whatever the case, in order to be able to fight for 2nd in the constructors, the Silverstone-based team need to find a solution to their sudden lack of pace. This is also essential to allow Alonso a fighting chance at finishing 2nd in the drivers’ championship. The 2-time champ is not lacking in skill or talent. With the right car under him and better strategy calls, he cannot be counted out of the battle for second.
Sergio Perez
Red Bull aren’t in a title fight for the Formula 1 constructors’ championship. They are simply in a league of their own at the top. They have had a very successful first half and are set to have another successful run as well in the second half of the season.
But their second driver, Sergio Perez, remains in the fight. For now, the Mexican sits 2nd in the battle for second in the drivers’ standings. His car is far more superior to those that are trying to take his place, but it can be argued that Perez has had below-par performances that could falter his chances.
Checo has failed to reach Q3 6 times this year; 5 times in a row between Monaco and Silverstone. It is questionable as the RB19 is the most dominant car by far. To add, Max has claimed pole each time Checo couldn’t get to Q3.
If the Mexican continues to perform poorly, he might not be able to keep his spot in 2nd place. He will be hoping that the summer break helped him recuperate and gain back the drive that he needs.
Is it really realistic to say that there is a battle for second?
The form at each race weekend has fluctuated with no clear second-fastest team. Consistency will prove to be key in the second half of the season. Mercedes has already shown the importance of consistency, as it has been the main reason as to why they sit in 2nd with a 51-point advantage.
If Aston Martin and Mercedes can find good pace in their respective packages and remain consistent, both teams and their drivers will have a chance in the battle for second.
When it comes to Sergio Perez, he has been consistently performing poorly in qualifying. He has then had to drive a difficult race to climb up the ladder. If he can turn that around and perform well consistently, the fight will be that much harder for those behind him.
We’ve seen McLaren make a big jump. If Aston Martin or Mercedes can figure out how to do the same for themselves, there will be a tight battle for second.
There are 10 races left to find out who will win the championship battles. We’re racing in Zandvoort this weekend. This will be the first race of a doubleheader that will be completed next weekend in Monza. That will be the last of Europe before the last rotation of races shared between Asia and North America.
