Max Verstappen's complete annihilation of the rest of the field last season had many journalists inside the paddock fearing the worst for 2024. The concern had also stretched up to Formula 1's owners Liberty Media and despite the public support for the Dutchman and Red Bull's success, it was also concerned by the dominance and its impact.
TV numbers were dropping and F1 had noticeably been bumped further down the global news agenda. It seemed interest in the series had peaked and the inevitable drop-off that comes with one person winning all the time was in play.
