F1 News: F1 competition will be fierce until end of 2025

Red Bull Racing’s team principal, Christian Horner expects a fierce showdown in Formula 1 over the next 18 months.

As the 2024 season starts the 2nd half, he expects intense rivalry among the top teams, particularly with McLaren and Mercedes challenging for the Constructors’ Championship.

Horner believes the current regulations have created a level playing field, allowing teams to close the performance gap……before the 2026 regulations ruin it all.

He notes that consistent rules often lead to closer competition, and with a significant regulation change set for 2026, the next year and a half will be crucial for all teams involved as he spoke to Formula1.com

“I think it’s great for the sport, and it was almost inevitable when you get consistency of regulations, you always get convergence.

“I remember when I first came into Formula 1, Ron Dennis banging that drum back in 2005. Convergence has always brought the teams together. Of course we have a big regulations change in 2026 that will cause divergence but, between now and then, the next 18 months I think it will be flat-out between the four teams.”

Horner emphasizes the importance of maintaining a strong lead, especially for driver Max Verstappen, as they head into the summer break because he has a good chance to win his 4th straight F1 title.

Oracle Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner and Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing talk in the garage during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Japan at Suzuka International Racing Course on April 05, 2024 in Suzuka, Japan. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool

“Extending the lead going into the summer break for Max will give him a better rest. For us the focus is on the constructors’, where we’ve seen another seven or eight points taken off us again [at Spa].

“We need to turn that around coming out of the break in Zandvoort.”