F1 returns for the Dutch Grand Prix | 7 things to look out for

OK, so the recipients of the two world championship trophies come the end of the year is a foregone conclusion – but there’s still plenty for the rest to fight over, some of which will help define the shape of grand prix racing in 2024 and beyond. Let’s take a look at what’s left to look forward to during what’s bound to be an intense autumn run-in.

Red Bull’s pitch to remain unbeaten

It’s only a question of when Max Verstappen becomes a three-time consecutive world champion, given that he’s 125 points clear of team-mate Sergio Perez. But will his Red Bull team remain unbeaten and go one better than McLaren in 1988 by completing the clean sweep? Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna carved up 15 of the 16 races between themselves 35 years ago, but now we face the prospect of Verstappen and Perez hogging all 22 races in a single season.

The further Red Bull takes that possibility on the road to Abu Dhabi, the more intriguing it will get. Only Senna’s aggression lapping the unfortunate Jean-Louis Schlesser at Monza stained McLaren’s bid for perfection all those years ago – and something similar, in the blink of an eye, could still befall the Red Bull drivers. But on pure form an ‘Invincibles’ season appears to be there for the taking. Still, ten races is a lot… the countdown is on.

Perez driving for pride, and his future

Sergio Perez has a point to prove for the remainder of the season. After the first four races of 2023 some pundits were seriously talking up Checo’s chances of taking on Verstappen for the title. But those two early wins seem an awful long time ago now. He’s contracted to Red Bull until the end of 2024, but too many lacklustre results following poor qualifying performances have left many questioning his worth. That’s what happens when you are driving by far the best car on the grid, yet fail to make the most of it too many times.

Christian Horner has stated that Perez won’t be replaced before his contract is up. But can the 33-year-old add to his tally of six F1 wins and build a case for himself to retain his prized seat beyond the end of next year? In all honesty, Daniel Ricciardo coveting the drive is probably the least of his problems.

Will Hamilton re-sign for Mercedes?

It might well be announced at Zandvoort this week. But if Lewis Hamilton hasn’t yet signed a contract extension to remain at Mercedes into 2024, why ever not? The summer break is usually the obvious time for such deals to be finalised, but nothing has been said as yet. Might there still be a possibility that Hamilton has another plan in mind?

Whenever asked, the seven-time world champion has dampened speculation, especially when linked earlier this year to a move to Ferrari. But until a deal is announced we cannot and should not take anything for granted. The Mercedes car is better than it was, especially since the major technical upgrade introduced at Monaco, but signs of the team returning to its old form and contending for wins, never mind titles, are far from clear. Does Hamilton have doubts about recommitting himself if he thinks Mercedes might not give him what he needs to at least contend for that record eighth title?

Meanwhile, he’s still driving at a high level. Hamilton returns to the fray a significant 49 points ahead of team-mate George Russell, who outscored him over a season at the first time of asking last year. That means Russell has a job to do to win back momentum and propel himself into what he hopes will be better times in 2024.

Ferrari seeks to throw off its lethargy

Frédéric Vasseur knew what he was getting into when he replaced Mattia Binotto as Team Principal at Ferrari late last year. Like a football manager, he faces a challenge to change the culture at the most famous team of them all and ultimately deliver results. But it’s clearly going to take time. Let’s hope he’s given the space he needs to hit those targets, because Ferrari so far this year looks a long way off matching Red Bull’s high standards – in every area.

Internally and externally, there will be pressure for the team to show some green shoots in these races to come, not least from Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz. Ferrari has regressed to a state of blandness this season and Vasseur needs to unearth some inspiration. Let’s see what he can find and if the team has the energy to dig deep.

Norris vs Piastri at McLaren

There’s been a heartening revival at McLaren following a successful upgrade introduced to the car in Austria – and that has enhanced a team-mate rivalry that is brewing nicely. Lando Norris made the most of his team’s new-found form with a fine second place at Silverstone and another podium in Hungary, but just before the summer break he made some comments about how tough the car is to drive, how it doesn’t suit his style.

Could that be because his rookie team-mate Oscar Piastri is a clear threat on pace? The pair are quite evenly matched, with Piastri poised to offer an internal challenge Norris rarely had to worry about when Ricciardo was his team-mate. How these two match up over the course of the next three months should be fascinating.

Will Renault keep faith with F1?

The future of Alpine has become a point of speculation following another round of management upheaval at the Renault-owned team. Ahead of Spa, Otmar Szafnauer was finally stood down from his role as Team Principal, while long-time senior figures Pat Fry and Alan Permane also departed, the former for a role at Williams.

There’s clearly a lack of patience within Renault, as Szafnauer has since pointed out, and the lack of clear progress for a team that has slipped from fourth last year to sixth in the constructors’ standings this term has led some to wonder just how committed the French car giant will remain to F1.

Renault has a history of pulling out of grand prix racing – and of selling this team, as it did in 2011. As Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon vie to score points on the fringes of the top ten rather than battling for podiums, how long before something major gives at Alpine?

Get ready for Vegas

Finally, the race F1 can’t wait for is beginning to loom large. And no, we’re not talking about the returning Qatar Grand Prix at the uninspiring Lusail circuit.

The Las Vegas Grand Prix on 18^th November will be the penultimate race of the year, by which time Verstappen and Red Bull’s world titles should be long wrapped up. But that won’t matter a jot as F1 heads for the glitz of the famous Strip for its first-ever Saturday night grand prix. It will be gaudy and absolutely not to everyone’s taste. But brace yourselves – it will also be an occasion like none we’ve ever seen before in F1. Dazzled or horrified, either way you won’t be able to miss it.

Images courtesy of Motorsport Images.