After a four-week break, F1 makes its eagerly awaited return this weekend with the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort.
Many fans were weary heading into this season after the utter domination of Max Verstappen and Red Bull during the 2023 season - a year in which the Dutchman won an astonishing 19 of the 22 races held.
However, it has been a hugely different story this season, with the season growing ever harder to predict with every passing race.
Verstappen may be in the driving seat to take a fourth successive F1 world title, but there is plenty of intrigue hanging over the final ten races of the season.
Ahead of the return to Zandvoort this weekend, we've broken down the five burning questions we're eagerly awaiting answers to in the second half of the F1 season.
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The five biggest questions ahead of F1's return at Dutch GP
Is Max Verstappen enough to win Red Bull the championship?
Sergio Perez has lagged far behind Max Verstappen this season (Photo: Shutterstock)
Red Bull are looking to secure their third consecutive F1 Constructors' Championship and, alongside it, Max Verstappen's fourth successive World Drivers' Championship.
It has not been as plain sailing this year, however, with Verstappen winning only (only?!) seven of 14 races thus far, and the chasing pack clearly catching up to level pegging with the previously peerless Red Bulls.
There is also a major problem: Sergio Perez.
The Mexican driver has not stood on the podium since April, exemplifying the gulf in class between himself and Verstappen in the same car.
With a 78-point gap to the closest chaser (Lando Norris), Verstappen should be safe to close out his world title drive. However, with McLaren only 42 points behind and in undeniably stronger form, the constructors' crown may slip for Red Bull.
Will there be more fireworks between the McLaren F1 teammates?
There was a tense atmosphere between the McLaren teammates after the controversy in Hungary (Photo: Shutterstock)
There is an asterisk to the previous assertion that McLaren could catch Red Bull in the constructors' title race - for two concerning reasons.
At July's Hungarian Grand Prix, the first signs of a fractious relationship between teammates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri emerged when Norris refused to let Piastri re-pass for his maiden win until the very last second. There was a sullen mood on the podium, and it was hard not to feel that it exemplified the McLaren mood entering the summer break.
Both drivers have now won races this season, with Norris taking his maiden win at May's Miami Grand Prix. However, it could be argued that the team should also have won at least three other races, with particularly glaring examples at Barcelona, Austria, and Silverstone.
If the two drivers find themselves battling it out for more race wins, it is easy to see the relationship between the pair becoming more strained. Moreover, if the team continue to leave victories behind them, it is hard to see them toppling Red Bull.
How will Mercedes handle the resurgent - and soon-to-depart - Lewis Hamilton?
Lewis Hamilton has been back to his best as he winds down his time with Mercedes (Photo: Shutterstock)
It was neither McLaren nor Red Bull who were F1's form team before the summer break but, surprisingly, the resurgent Mercedes.
The Silver Arrows would win three of the last four races before the four-week shutout, with George Russell winning in Austria before Lewis Hamilton claimed victory at both Silverstone and Spa.
Hamilton's victories were his first since the 2021 Saudi Arabian GP and place him ahead of both his teammate and Red Bull #2 Sergio Perez in the drivers' standings.
However, his brilliant win at Silverstone came after George Russell retired from pole position, while Russell was once again unfortunate to be disqualified after taking the chequered flag in Belgium.
There is no denying that Hamilton has been back to his brilliant best but, with a bit more luck, it could have been 3-0 to Russell in terms of race victories. With Hamilton shipping off to Ferrari for 2025, it will be fascinating to see
Where the hell do Ferrari fit into all of this?
Ferrari have won only two races this year but are well-placed in the Constructors' Championship (Photo: Shutterstock)
Speaking of Ferrari...
It's hard to get a read of where the Scuderia fit into the title race as we enter the latter stages of the season. They took two decisive, dominant victories in Melbourne and Monaco (one each for Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc) but, bar that, there hasn't been a huge amount of joy on track for the Prancing Horse.
The team have only enjoyed two podiums since Leclerc's victory at his home race and, though they sit third in the championship, they are fast being caught by Mercedes.
With Mercs man Hamilton on his way to Ferrari for the 2025 F1 season, there is an intriguing dynamic surrounding the battle between the two teams this season.
Will we have an eighth F1 race winner in 2024?
George Russell claimed victory at the Austrian Grand Prix in June (Photo: Shutterstock)
This season's seven different race winners is already the highest since eight different drivers triumphed during the 2012 season - and 2024 could yet match that number.
The obvious contender is Max Verstappen's teammate Sergio Perez, yet to win since last season's Azerbaijan Grand Prix. However, with the Mexican desperately out of form, it may require a different source.
No other non-race winners have stood on the podium this year, though we have seen the likes of Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly win through chaotic circumstances in recent seasons.
The way this 2024 F1 season has gone, you would not be surprised to see some unexpected twists and turns in the final ten races.
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