The competitive hierarchy of the 2024 Formula 1 season is likely to undergo further changes at the upcoming Imola race.
Following Miami, where McLaren's Lando Norris finished ahead of championship leader Red Bull, the German publication Bild humorously but tellingly reported: "Formula 1 winner is NOT Verstappen."
Despite setting the fastest times in both qualifying rounds and claiming victory in Saturday's sprint, Max Verstappen admittedly struggled with car handling throughout the weekend and on Sunday, and further compromised his car by colliding with a bollard on Sunday.
Dutch racer Tom Coronel expressed on Viaplay: "We heard Max say 'I can't turn in'. I see it very simply. He made that mistake himself. Then you have damage, then you're just surviving, then you're finishing a race with a handicap."
Norris's breakthrough was also partially attributed to the safety car's timing, which some speculated was a misstep by the FIA race director.
"They are so used to having Verstappen leading the pack that they sent the safety car in front of him," joked Ferrari chief Frederic Vasseur.
Ex-Red Bull driver Robert Doornbos anticipates a resurgence for Verstappen at Imola, telling Ziggo Sport: "This (Miami) was a sprint race weekend on a temporary circuit. When we go to Imola, where there is rubber down and a normal track, and you will see that things will be different."
Echoing this sentiment, an editorial by Het Laatste Nieuws stated: "It has been a long time since anyone could beat Red Bull in what were quite normal circumstances. We will only know whether it was a one-off in Imola."
F1's latest winner Norris, 24, drove what McLaren CEO Zak Brown described as the "B version" in Miami, marking a "big step" from the initial model.
Red Bull and Ferrari are poised to introduce significant car upgrades at Imola, according to confirmed reports.
"The season begins again in Imola," Aston Martin team leader Mike Krack told AS, revealing that their Silverstone-based squad would also roll out updates next weekend. "Everyone will improve their cars there because it's better for the logistics. It will be a good opportunity and yes, we will make changes."
