P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Red Bull Racing can be caught and the fight at the front of the field is going to become even closer in 2024 given limitations of the current rules, according to Mercedes technical director James A…
“According to Mercedes technical director James Allison, Red Bull Racing can be caught and the fight at the front of the field is expected to become even closer in 2024 due to the limitations of the current rules. Red Bull dominated in 2023, winning all but one race, but the overall grid has been converging under the current regulations. Allison believes there’s a limit that everyone is likely to reach more quickly, which could bring Red Bull back to the rest of the field. The rules themselves have a clear upper boundary in terms of lap times, unlike the previous generation of cars. The grid has been gradually compressing, with cars in Q1 being squashed within one second of each other, indicating a trend that started in 2022 and continued in 2023. Allison expects this trend to continue in 2024, making the competition busier near the top of the grid. If Mercedes is good enough to be in the fight, operational factors such as driver excellence, car reliability, and crew skills become crucial. Despite the challenge, Allison finds it enjoyable to chase down Red Bull, even though winning is more fun.”
