Are there any legitimate challengers to Max Verstappen and Red Bull?

Red Bull's Max Verstappen opened the 2024 Formula One season in the same fashion as most of last season, winning the Bahrain Grand Prix.

The three-time world champion eased to his first race win of the season, beating his teammate Sergio Perez by 22.4 seconds, who finished second in the race, according to Sky Sports.

Verstappen dominated the circuit in 2023, winning his third consecutive World Championship and winning 19 of 22 races, a Formula One record, according to Sky Sports.

The domination of Red Bull and Verstappen over the last two seasons, which saw him win 15 races in 2022 and 19 in 2023, has left people thinking this may just be another coronation year for the flying Dutchman.

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The opening race hasn't given Formula One fans promise that anyone can challenge Max Verstappen this season, but there has only been one race.

Which drivers will challenge Max Verstappen and Red Bull for the rest of the season?

After a shocking start to the 2023 Formula One season, McLaren and Lando Norris emerged as Max Verstappen's biggest threat at the end of last season.

As reported by the Beyond the Flag website, Norris can compete for a world championship with the right equipment, but Verstappen could be a level above. The McLaren driver had 13 podiums last season, and finished runner-up in six of the final 13 races.

The only man to push Max Verstappen to the final race is Formula One GOAT Lewis Hamilton, who controversially lost to the Dutchman in 2021. Despite that, the seven-time world champion will always back himself to beat anyone on his day.

According to the Formula One website, Hamilton finished third in the Drivers Championship last season, finishing the closest to both Red Bull drivers. However, his shock move to Ferrari in 2025 shows his lack of belief in the car for this season.

According to Sky Sports, Hamilton said: "I know this team is going to win another championship, and I will be proud to know I have been a part of it."

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Charles LeClerc, Hamilton's Ferrari teammate next season, will also fancy his chances at defeating Verstappen this year, having been the last driver before Verstappen to lead the Drivers' Championship at the beginning of the 2022 season.

As reported by ESPN, the Ferrari car was quickest in two out of the three days of Formula One testing, giving the 'Prancing Horse' a confidence builder heading into Bahrain on Sunday.

It's impossible to rule out the man who is driving the same car as Max Verstappen, with Mexican Sergio Perez still having ambitions of winning his maiden World Championship.

As reported by the Formula One website, Perez came the closest to Verstappen in the Drivers Championship, securing 285 points, two wins, and nine podiums. If anyone can beat Verstappen, it's the man with the same car.

As reported by the GP Fans website, Perez is out of contract with Red Bull at the end of the season and will be under even more pressure to deliver to keep his Red Bull seat.

Will it be another Max Verstappen World Championship victory, or will one of these drivers spark an upset and take Dutchman off his pedestal?

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