As the curtain falls on Formula 1 in 2024, we see a similar face as the world drivers’ champion Max Verstappen and a new constructors’ champion in McLaren. This season was a rather unique one and a season of firsts. We saw 7 different drivers not only win races but each of these drivers won multiple races which is the first time something like this has happened in F1 history. We saw the first instance of a driver getting a race ban, in this case, Kevin Magnussen of Haas, due to him gathering 12 penalty points. We saw quite a few mid-season driver changes with Daniel Ricciardo of RB being replaced by Liam Lawson and Williams replacing Logan Sargeant with Franco Colapinto. We even saw the first instance of a driver scoring points for two different teams without competing in the full season as Ferrari Junior Oliver Bearman filled in at Ferrari for a recovering Carlos Sainz at Jeddah and Haas for Kevin Magnussen at Azerbaijan and Brazil. Max Verstappen was fined and given community service for swearing at a press conference. One thing that makes this season so unique is the fact that despite there being so many different winners and a tough battle for the constructors’ title, there was no actual fight for the drivers’ title. Sure McLaren’s Lando Norris did seem to be a favourite to take the fight to Redbull’s Max Verstappen. However, he just couldn’t seem to pull through when the opportunities were there and ended up finishing second in the championship 63 points behind Max. The main reason for that was that despite having a faster car than Max post the Miami Grand Prix, he didn’t maximise all of his opportunities while Max seemed to always outperform what his car was worth. Heading into the last race, Norris was under threat from Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc to be overtaken for second place in the driver’s championship. This season produced iconic moments in F1's current era. After years of tough luck, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc finally won his home race at Monaco. He also won Ferrari's home race at Monza in Italy. Leclerc's partner, Carlos Sainz, won the race in Australia barely two weeks after his surgery and won the Mexican race. Mercedes Driver George Russell inherited the win at Austria after an altercation between the title rivals Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, which led to them colliding and damaging their races. A couple of races later, Russel won again in Belgium after some incredible tyre management, only to be disqualified for his underweight car, handing the victory to his teammate Lewis Hamilton. The 2024 season saw Lewis Hamilton's resurgence. He won a historic ninth time at his home race in Silverstone, ending a two-year winless streak. Max Verstappen's dominant victory at the Brazilian Grand Prix, starting from 17th position, highlighted his exceptional skill in wet conditions and reinforced his status as one of the sport's top drivers. The Hungarian Grand Prix was a controversial race, where McLaren driver Oscar Piastri took his maiden win in F1. Piastri started the race second but had taken the lead from his teammate right at the start. However, Norris got the more favourable strategy, which meant that during the race's final stages, Norris, despite leading, was asked to give the lead back to Oscar. These "Papaya Rules" of McLaren made many fans sour towards them despite their double podium in that race.
The recent turmoil surrounding the FIA, particularly under the leadership of President Mohamed Ben Saliham, has drawn widespread criticism and frustration from the Formula 1 community. As the 2024 season neared its conclusion with the Qatar Grand Prix, the FIA faced backlash over a series of controversial decisions and management changes that many deemed counterproductive. Rui Marques replaced race director Niels Wittich just before crucial races, raising eyebrows among drivers and teams alike. Speculation that Wittich was dismissed rather than resigning added to the tension, especially as Marquez also had to oversee Formula 2 events, stretching resources thin at a critical time. Further controversies marred the race weekend. Max Verstappen was stripped of his pole position due to a penalty for driving too slowly during a cooldown lap—a decision influenced by rival George Russell's manoeuvring. The penalty was controversial because Russell was also on a cooldown lap, meaning Verstappen's speed would not affect his starting position. This incident ignited a fierce rivalry between the two drivers, underscoring the cutthroat nature of competition in F1. The Qatar Grand Prix showcased a series of harsh penalties that left many questioning the consistency and fairness of race stewarding. Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris faced significant penalties for minor infractions, while a dangerous piece of debris on the track went unaddressed until it caused further chaos. The FIA's explanations for these decisions were often seen as inadequate, leading to calls for greater accountability and transparency within the organisation. While Ben Saliham has made strides in expanding team participation in F1, his leadership has been overshadowed by these controversies, prompting many to label the current state of the FIA as "pathetic." The ongoing issues reflect deeper concerns about governance and ethics within the FIA, mainly as rumours circulate about attempts to consolidate power and limit independent oversight. The 2025 Formula 1 season is set up to be one of the best in the sport's history—call it a prediction or just misguided hope. You may wonder why I say this, especially if 2024 was so competitive yet ended without a proper title fight. The answer is simple. This year, Red Bull took an early lead, with Max Verstappen winning seven out of the first ten races. However, Ferrari, McLaren, and Mercedes had mid-season resurgences, while Red Bull failed to improve their car enough to keep up with the competition. As a result, Red Bull didn't win a race for ten rounds in a row. Despite this drop in performance, Verstappen still showed his brilliance in races like Qatar and Brazil, delivering generational drives to secure wins even without a dominant car. Looking ahead, 2025 promises to be different. McLaren, Ferrari, and possibly even Mercedes are expected to begin the season with cars capable of fighting for race wins from the very first race. The Constructors' Championship will likely be as exciting as in 2024. Meanwhile, the Drivers' Championship could be a six-way battle. McLaren's lineup of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, Ferrari's pairing of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, and Mercedes' combination of George Russell and rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli all bring immense talent. All these drivers, except Antonelli (who will be debuting in F1), have proven they can fight for the world title if given a competitive car. Even if Antonelli isn't an immediate contender, that leaves five strong candidates for the title. Finally, there's Max Verstappen. Despite Red Bull losing Adrian Newey and struggling with car development for much of 2024, Verstappen remains a force to be reckoned with. You can never count him out as long as his car can fight for points. His sheer skill and determination mean he's always a threat for the podium's top step. The 2025 season has all the ingredients to deliver a legendary battle for the Constructors' and Drivers' Championships. It's a season no Formula 1 fan will want to miss.
11 Dec 2024
Iconic Races
The Qatar Grand Prix and FIA Clownfest
Looking ahead to 2025
Vyom Ramani
