END OF YEAR REPORT: Red Bull – A fourth consecutive title for Max Verstappen, but constructors’ champions no more

On one side of the Red Bull garage, 2024 was another season of excellence – Max Verstappen sealed his fourth consecutive drivers’ title despite increased competition across the grid. But, on the other side, it was a season of struggle for Sergio Perez, with the Mexican’s results ultimately meaning Red Bull would slump to third in the constructors’ championship. Those performances cost the Mexican his seat despite signing a contract extension, with Liam Lawson the man to step up to the squad. Here is Red Bull’s end of year report…

Best finish

Max Verstappen – 1st in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Japan, China, Imola, Canada, Spain, Brazil and Qatar

Had you said at the start of 2024 that Max Verstappen would go without a Grand Prix victory for 10 races, you’d have been laughed at. Yet that’s exactly what transpired in one of the most competitive Formula 1 seasons we’ve witnessed for a while.

But despite that competition, and the RB20’s issues at various points through the season, Verstappen showcased his championship-winning credentials once again – and arguably in better style than ever.

All in all, the Red Bull man secured nine Grand Prix victories – more than any other driver on the grid in 2024 – which helped him seal his fourth title in Las Vegas. But if any single race demonstrated his incredible skillset, it was his P17 to P1 drive in Brazil that will be lauded for years to come.

KIGALI, RWANDA - DECEMBER 13: In this handout provided by Federation Internationale de l'Automobile — Verstappen was crowned world champion for the fourth time

Qualifying head-to-head

Verstappen 23-1 Perez

Perhaps it’s no surprise how one-sided the head-to-head statistics are between Verstappen and Perez, given the Mexican’s indifferent form and eventual exit at the end of the season.

However, Perez’s qualifying results have been particularly challenging – he endured six Q1 exits and three Q2 exits in 2024. He has also only outqualified Verstappen once in the last 41 attempts.

But as much as Perez has had troubles, Verstappen has been brilliant. Remember he kicked off this season with seven consecutive pole positions and consistently maximised what was on offer.

IN NUMBERS: The incredible statistics behind Verstappen's fourth consecutive title-winning season

Race head-to-head

Verstappen 23-1 Perez

Once again the Dutchman dominates here, the only exception being his retirement in Australia when Perez went on to finish fifth.

The Mexican could have added another to his tally in Azerbaijan – the one weekend he seemed to have the better of his team mate – but his late crash with Carlos Sainz took him out of the running for third place.

However, with Verstappen almost always battling at the front, Perez’s downturn in 2024 makes for stark reading. After four podiums in the opening seven races, they were immediately followed by two DNFs in Monaco and Canada.

No more podiums would come for the rest of the season, with his best result thereafter a sixth-placed finish in Zandvoort.

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - DECEMBER 07: 10th placed qualifier Sergio Perez of Mexico and — Perez endured a tough 2024 and would ultimately leave Red Bull following the end of the campaign

Best moment

We’ve already mentioned it, but Verstappen’s performance at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix deserves mentioning again. And again.

That weekend had thrown every hurdle imaginable at the Dutchman. Firstly, his championship challenger Lando Norris had won the Sprint on Saturday – a race that saw Verstappen subsequently demoted to fourth following a Virtual Safety Car infringement.

Then the heavens opened and delayed qualifying until the Sunday morning, with the resulting wet session seeing an uncharacteristically early Q2 exit for the Red Bull man. That was made worse with Verstappen knowing he was to take a five-place grid drop for a power unit change, leaving him in P17 on the starting grid.

What happened next was – to pinch the phrase – 'simply lovely'. Verstappen would go on to deliver one of his greatest ever drives to rise through the order and win a frantic race, putting him in the position to seal his fourth title in Las Vegas. It really was a drive for the ages.

2024 Sao Paulo Grand Prix: Max Verstappen Brazil Masterclass

Worst moment

While there have been plenty of on-track moments that could fall into this category – think Perez’s P17 in Mexico or Verstappen’s penalties at the same venue – we’re looking to off-track events here.

Quite simply, Red Bull will have to move on following the departure of two key individuals, with Chief Technical Officer Adrian Newey leaving to join Aston Martin while Jonathan Wheatley has left to become Audi’s team boss.

Team Principal Christian Horner has long insisted that there is plenty of talent throughout the organisation to deal with those departures, but time will ultimately tell.

SILVERSTONE, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 10: Adrian Newey at a press conference at Aston Martin — Newey will join Aston Martin in 2025 after almost 20 years at Red Bull

Going forward

Looking ahead for Red Bull, there is one obvious place to start – Liam Lawson. After only 11 Grand Prix starts, the New Zealander has done enough to be given a shot as Max Verstappen’s team mate in 2025.

But a mammoth task awaits the 22-year-old – Horner himself has described the job of being the Dutchman’s team mate as the toughest in F1 – and while Lawson may have undoubted confidence in himself, he is still relatively inexperienced.

ANALYSIS: Why Red Bull chose Lawson instead of Tsunoda as Perez's replacement

Red Bull need to bed Lawson in as quickly as possible in order for him to perform to the best of his abilities, not least because this year’s constructors’ championship has shown how crucial it is to have two drivers scoring.

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - DECEMBER 07: Liam Lawson of New Zealand and Visa Cash App RB — Liam Lawson will race alongside Verstappen at Red Bull in 2025

What champions McLaren and runners-up Ferrari had in Norris/Piastri and Leclerc/Sainz respectively, Red Bull didn’t have. Reclaiming the constructors’ championship again has to be the aim and the team need both drivers firing for that to happen.

END OF YEAR REPORT: Alpine – From a nightmare start to a promising finish amid numerous behind-the-scenes changes

Should Lawson thrive, then it promises to be an epic addition to what is sure to be another ultra-competitive season in 2025. But, should he struggle, Red Bull have shown before they aren’t afraid to make changes – and in Yuki Tsunoda, there’s already a driver who feels he deserves to be in the seat Lawson now occupies…