We started the season thinking Red Bull will wipe the floor again, but it's been a rollercoaster ride.

With six different winners from the first 12 races and four teams (Red Bull, McLaren, Mercedes, and Ferrari for those who aren’t up to speed) in the thick of the battle, there’s no shortage of discussion on who may come out on top.

We are still 5 races to go before Formula 1 reaches our shores in Singapore and with the current trajectory of the top teams, it is anyone's game on who might come out on top when the dust settles at our night race.

If you're not up to speed on what's happening, fret not. Here are some fast facts on where your top drivers and teams currently stand.

Red Bull’s Dilemma

The team that undoubtedly is feeling the pressure now is Red Bull, having missed out on crucial points in the last few races. Max Verstappen has been on form, but the RB17 hasn’t had the same outright advantage against the other teams from previous seasons, due to massive improvements from the rest of the field, especially from McLaren.

Sergio Perez’s season started strong, but the rise of McLaren, Mercedes, and Ferrari has coincided with a dip in his form. Over the past six races, Perez has managed just 15 points, compared to Max Verstappen’s 119.

Team principal Christian Horner has stressed the need for Perez to score more consistently. With two races before the summer break, Perez has a chance to alleviate some pressure, especially given his strong performances in Hungary and Spa-Francorchamps on previous occasions.

Looking at the bigger picture, Perez’s struggles could impact the driver market, despite already signing a contract that guarantees him till 2026. The driver market is already buzzing with potential moves, and known vacancies at Mercedes, VCarb RB, Haas, Alpine, Sauber, and Williams mean we could see a flurry of meetings and deals soon.

Carlos Sainz remains a central figure in these discussions, especially with Toto Wolff expressing interest in him for Mercedes. Meanwhile, drivers like Daniel Ricciardo, Esteban Ocon, Valtteri Bottas, Zhou Guanyu, and Logan Sargeant are still uncertain about their 2025 plans.

McLaren’s Might

If there’s one team that has been consistently on other teams’ radar this season, it would be McLaren. Lando Norris’ win in Miami started it all, and since then, McLaren has been tantalizingly close to securing victory again.

The margins have been razor-thin, with their biggest loss being just 3.8 seconds in Canada. McLaren needs to tighten up their race execution to convert their potential into more victories.

While Mercedes basked in Silverstone glory, McLaren was left pondering what might have been. Early pit stop decisions cost Oscar Piastri valuable time, dropping him from a potential podium finish. And then there was Lando Norris, whose final stop for soft tyres led to faster degradation than anticipated, squandering a potential higher podium position.

Mercedes’ Return To Form

Mercedes has been on proper form, with two victories back-to-back. Sure, they clinched a win in Austria, thanks to a collision between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris. But, you cannot deny Silverstone was truly magical.

Locking out the front row in qualifying and running one-two for much of the race, Lewis Hamilton's victory, his first since 2021, solidified their resurgence.

Both Russell and team principal Toto Wolff are convinced that Mercedes now have a car capable of challenging Red Bull and McLaren regularly. With more upgrades expected in Hungary, and Hamilton eyeing his ninth victory at the Hungaroring, the momentum is clearly with Mercedes.

Where Is Ferrari?

Ferrari's season has been a mixed bag to say the least. Charles Leclerc’s victory in Monaco raised hopes, but since then, it’s been a downward spiral. With just 12 points from the last four races, Ferrari now find themselves 71 points behind Red Bull and only narrowly ahead of McLaren.

Their updates in Spain didn’t yield the expected results, but Ferrari hopes to bounce back at the contrasting circuits of Hungary and Belgium. The next two weeks are crucial for them to get back on track.

Has This Been A Great Season So Far?

Absolutely. With the season’s unpredictability, every race weekend brings new narratives and shifting dynamics. As we gear up for the Hungaroring happening this weekend (19th - 21st July), the stakes couldn't be higher for teams and drivers alike.

Whether it's Mercedes' resurgence, McLaren's consistency, Ferrari's fightback, or Perez's pressure cooker situation, the drama of the 2024 F1 season is far from over.

Photo Credits: Formula One