Red Bull DEMOTED as FIA imposes several penalties on F1 champions

The Red Bull Formula 1 team faced a major setback after their poor performance at the 2024 Mexican Grand Prix resulted in a significant demotion.

Earlier this season, at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, McLaren dethroned the reigning constructors’ champions from their leading position. The team is now poised to secure its first championship since 1998. Thanks to the consistent performances of drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, McLaren gradually chipped away at Red Bull’s lead in the standings before ultimately overtaking them following Piastri’s victory in Baku.

After what seemed to be one of Red Bull’s most challenging weekends in the recent history of the sport, star driver Max Verstappen faces the threat of losing his fourth consecutive drivers’ championship title. His Mexican GP weekend was marred by FIA controversies and a 20-second penalty.

Norris currently holds the second position, trailing the Dutchman by only 47 points, while Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc remains a contender in third place. The standout performances of Leclerc and his soon-to-be former teammate Carlos Sainz significantly boosted Scuderia Ferrari’s chances for the constructors’ title in Mexico City. With Sainz claiming victory and Leclerc finishing P3, Red Bull has now been overtaken for second place in the team standings as well.

This demotion largely stems from the difficulties Christian Horner’s team encountered with the FIA last weekend. Both Verstappen and his underperforming teammate, Sergio Perez, received penalties during the race. Despite this setback, Verstappen managed to secure a P6 finish; however, the significant penalty likely cost him valuable points in what has essentially become a solo effort for him as Perez consistently finishes out of point-scoring positions—a situation that casts doubt on his future in Formula 1.