First, let’s be clear: 24 events are too many, far too many. Even more so when you add sprint races for which we are still looking for utility other than accounting (and financial). And even more so when you already know the ending. Who, today, would want to follow a series of 24 episodes knowing the outcome? For those who have fond and exhilarated memories of the formidable vintage of 2021 – completed by Max Verstappen’s first title won on the final lap of the final race – the following two have little flavor.
At one time, Sergio Pérez, without matching the Dutchman, managed to tickle him at Red Bull in certain races. Which is no longer the case and the Mexican, who we knew as a wolf on the track, has over time become nothing more than a gentle lamb bleating softly. So certainly, the battle behind Red Bull could prove to be tough. Except that at present, we have no certainty. Imagine if Ferrari (or McLaren) manages to emerge as the undisputed runner-up to Red Bull, will you be excited for a formidable duel between Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris for 4th or 5th place? The die-hard lover of the discipline will say yes. But the average spectator is likely to take a good nap on Sunday afternoon in front of his television only to wake up and notice: “Damn, I missed Esteban Ocon overtaking Fernando Alonso for 9th place.” . And ? Nothing else, thank you, you can move on.
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The longer the better. 24 races which will take us until December with sequences that are geographically logical for once (Japan after China, for example) and which will punctuate our year. Why can such a long season be so interesting? For the good reason that a manufacturer who has missed his car can make up for it. Last year, the McLarens of Norris and Piastri were almost the last force on the field before the magicians led by Zak Brown made saving modifications to their car. To the point that she is the second force in the field ten GPs later.
As for the overwhelming dominance of Max Verstappen and Red Bull, that’s a fact. But you have to delve into the archives of the discipline to know that the year after the triumph is often complicated to manage. Talk to Michael Schumacher and Ferrari: in 2004, 13 wins for Schumi, 15 for Ferrari; in 2005, Fernando Alonso on Renault dethroned him. Winning is (almost) easy, dominating and lasting (almost) impossible. Especially since Red Bull’s opponents have fangs: Leclerc wants to strengthen his status as leader a year before the arrival of Lewis Hamilton among the Reds; the Briton wants to return to victory; Lando Norris finally wants to snag a GP in his purse; Fernando Alonso has been waiting for his 33rd success for ten years; the Alpine of Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon dream of reconquest… In short, battles on all levels. Wouldn’t we find all the ingredients for an exciting season here?
