McLaren Takes Over!

The 2024 Formula 1 season has been a spectacle, mainly due to the unexpected wins from various drivers. It has been a rollercoaster of unpredictability; that's how I would describe it.

Lando Norris, with his victory at the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix

There hasn't been this much anticipation and excitement in the Formula 1 world, with two teams neck and neck, since the Red Bull and Mercedes showdown in 2021. McLaren (or, as it is commonly known in the F1 fandom, Team Papaya) has come out of the old, dusty archives and has done something that no other team is doing this season: they are posing a threat to consecutive world champion Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing since Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes.  

The final race of the 2021 season in Abu Dhabi is an unforgettable event for Formula 1 fans. Abu Dhabi 2021 marked the race where Max Verstappen ended Lewis Hamilton's victory streak by claiming his first world championship. Since then, Red Bull has dominated the sport, with Verstappen being the top driver and winning three consecutive world championships.

Verstappen looked very promising at the beginning of this season; he won seven of the first ten races. However, in 2023, Red Bull Racing won 21 out of 22 races; therefore, as spectators and F1 fans, we knew that Verstappen would have more competition this year just based on the first ten races.

The Miami Grand Prix was a significant moment for McLaren's driver Lando Norris, as he won that race, marking his first Grand Prix victory in his Formula 1 career. And most recently, Norris won the Singapore Grand Prix, which gave McLaren just enough juice to take the top spot.

So how did McLaren take over with only six races left in the season? Well, thanks to some aggressive mid-season upgrades and two talented drivers, McLaren slowly closed the gap that Red Bull once had on all the teams. Red Bull heavily relies on Verstappen for points, whereas Mclaren has two consistent point scorers.

The Miami GP gave Norris the confidence to stay a competitive contender against Verstappen. However, Norris hasn't always been up to the same level as Verstappen. Norris showed potential since his Formula 1 debut in 2019, but the gap between Max Verstappen and the rest of the drivers was undeniably huge. Norris has come a long way, and as a Lando Norris fan, let's reminisce about some of his most incredible driving skills.......

Okay, okay, I'm sorry, but I just love this TikTok so much; it makes me giggle every time.

Anyway, the point is that Lando Norris grew to be an incredibly talented driver, and he's a big reason why the papaya team is currently on top.

Oscar Piastri, also a McLaren driver, has surprised most f1 fans with his recent performances, winning both the Hungarian Grand Prix and the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. For the first time since 2012, McLaren leads with 516 points. Red Bull now stands second with 475 points, and Ferrari is close behind in third with 441 points. 

(this calls for a happy dance for all you papaya fans)

However, Max Verstappen still holds the driver's championship with a far-reaching lead: 331 points, and Lando Norris is second with 245 points. Six races remain, which means more excitement and neck-and-neck racing are on the horizon. The prospect of these two drivers potentially setting the stage for another Abu Dhabi showdown will be another thrilling moment for F1 fans worldwide. 

The 2024 season has been a spectacle, mainly due to the unexpected wins from various drivers. It has been a rollercoaster of unpredictability; that's how I would describe it. There has been a diverse lineup of Grand Prix winners: Lewis Hamilton, George Russell, Oscar Piastri, Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz, Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, all claiming victories. This unpredictability has added an exciting new dimension to the races, keeping fans (and myself) on the edge of our seats.

Not every race is a Red Bull win anymore.

(oh, cry me a river, Max)

As the season draws close, the pressure is mounting on the drivers and teams. McLaren's journey back to the top, the team's recent progress, and Lando Norris' performances all signal a promising future for both championships. The intensity and anticipation are rising as we approach the final races of the 2024 season.

So in conclusion.....GO TEAM PAPAYA!!!