F1 chief Stefano Domenicali names one reason why Red Bull face major 2024 threat

Stefano Domenicali believes Red Bull will face a tougher battle than its Formula 1 rivals in 2024.

The single-season records have fallen this year, with Max Verstappen and his team almost completely in control. It was a rare weekend in Singapore when Red Bull were denied a stop in a 22-race season.

The Milton Keynes-based team’s lead over their car-making rivals has fueled concerns that they will fall short of title contention next season. But F1 CEO Domenicali is confident that won’t happen.

Red Bull’s balance of power has been excellent throughout the season, with very little separating most teams. That, and McLaren’s dramatic progress throughout the year, gives Domenicali confidence that things won’t be easy for the 2024 champion.

“Do you think the pitch is going to get tighter?” from Sky Sports? When asked, the former Ferrari president replied: “I think so.” Actually, I’m a person who doesn’t like to talk a lot because there are a lot of people talking and contradicting each other.

“But I’m sure that’s the goal of every team: to try to show their skill level, their capabilities and their ability to improve. It’s a really important two years. Because then we’ll probably have changes associated with a new balance of power units etc.’

The change the Italian was referring to is the 2026 rules update, which many see as the team’s next opportunity to wrest control of the championship from Red Bull, just as it did for Mercedes when the new 2022 rules upset the balance of power . . On the grid.

Domenicali specifically mentioned McLaren as a shining example of the progress that can be made in a short period of time. “I would like to congratulate Max on a sporting note. “It’s been impressive for Red Bull in terms of maturity and standards, but I want to reiterate that there are two factors: one is for those who want it. Let’s say it can’t be developed. If there’s a budget ceiling, McLaren will prove that it’s wrong. I think it is.” I would like to say “I saw qualifying [in Abu Dhabi] and there were 20 cars separated by less than a second. So we are very close to the selection. Of course, the pace of competition is different. “I think that’s going to be the main thing we’re going to see different next year.”