After 11 Grand Prix races, the hierarchy is completely overturned

This Formula 1 season started with major changes. First, the overwhelming dominance of Red Bull from the opening race in Bahrain made a strong impression. Everyone would have bet on Ferrari and its ability to come back into the game, but that was not the case. However, the Ferrari team did not disappoint in Bahrain, with Charles Leclerc holding a strong 3rd position for a long time, untroubled. Unfortunately, he had to retire due to an engine issue.

It was ultimately Aston Martin and Fernando Alonso who inherited third place and thus the podium, solidifying their tremendous leap forward during the winter. Aston Martin was truly the surprise of this early season, establishing themselves as the second force on the grid ahead of Ferrari and Mercedes. Mercedes also failed to make up ground from 2022 during the winter.

At the beginning of the season, Red Bull was leading the discussions, ahead of Aston Martin, Mercedes, and Ferrari. Since then, things have evolved.

Scuffles between Aston Martin, Ferrari, and Mercedes

Between these 3 stables, the hierarchy in the race has often changed. If Aston Martin has made good progress this winter and has obtained very good results in the early season races, later on, it regressed, and/or suffered the return to the forefront of other stables, better at developing their car.

Ferrari had a moment of resurgence, as evidenced by Charles Leclerc’s superb performance in Baku: pole position and a third-place finish in the Grand Prix. But the prancing horse team has had its ups and downs. And recently, they have fallen behind: 9th and 10th at Silverstone and 7th and 8th in Hungary. Aston Martin is also no longer as competitive as it was earlier in the season, and the British team often finishes behind Ferrari, as was the case this weekend in Budapest, where Alonso and Stroll finished 9th and 10th in the Grand Prix. The team based in Silverstone is losing valuable points to Mercedes and Ferrari in the constructor standings.

It is Mercedes who managed to get back on track in this first part of the season. By changing their aerodynamic philosophy and abandoning the no-sidepod concept, Toto Wolff’s team has taken a big step forward and solidified their second place in the constructors’ standings. Although their pace is still challenging compared to Red Bull, Lewis Hamilton’s pole position in Hungary is evidence of the German manufacturer’s renewed performance.

Trouble in the midfield

A little further behind these spike stables, there have also been quite a few changes. Starting with McLaren. Ghostly at the beginning of the season, the Woking team turned things around in an impressive manner! Two consecutive second places at Silverstone and Hungary for Lando Norris, and two top 5 finishes for Oscar Piastri: the British team has emerged as the second force on the grid in the last two races. Impressive. This is the major change in the hierarchy in recent weeks.

Alpine, on the other hand, continues to struggle and is no longer in the forefront, as we had seen in Monaco with Esteban Ocon’s third place. The French team has had two retirements in the last two Grand Prix races, and McLaren has definitively gained a substantial lead in the constructors’ standings. The Woking team is now looking ahead.

Williams also shows its teeth with Alex Albon, who has delivered superb performances in recent races, even beating Esteban Ocon in Canada, for example. Although Williams is far behind in the constructor’s championship, the progress of the British team is beyond question.

In addition to Red Bull’s domination, this season is thrilling. Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren, and Aston Martin are not finished engaging in fierce competition until the end of the season with two goals in mind: securing second place in the constructor’s championship and achieving a victory to put an end to Red Bull’s unbeaten streak.