With Max Verstappen dominating the last three seasons of the Formula 1 World Championship, 2024 began his way, but in the end, it turned out to be quite different. The Dutchman went on to take his fourth title, but not without a battle from Lando Norris, one of Britain’s newest and most popular drivers.
The season’s first two races began with Verstappen easily winning in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. However, what many thought would be a Verstappen domination changed when his car suffered brake problems, and he had to retire from the race in Australia. Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz went on to take his first win since Singapore in 2023.
Then Verstappen took the next two races in Asia, in Japan and China, and grabbed the season lead going into the next race in Miami, Florida. That race became the season’s turning point when McLaren’s Lando Norris won his maiden grand prix. Not to be denied, Verstappen returned the favor in Imola. Monaco was next, and neither Verstappen nor Norris won. Home hero Charles Leclerc took the flag on his home ground by winning easily in what turned out to be a tedious race with little action to speak of in that narrow street circuit venue.
The see-saw continued. Verstappen won in Canada and Spain, with Mercedes George Russell winning in Austria. The following round in Great Britain was a home win for Lewis Hamilton, his first in some time. The summer break was approaching when teams traveled to Hungry, and the pattern continued with multiple drivers claiming victory. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri won this time, thanks to his teammate Norris letting him pass on the final lap. Belgium was next, and Hamilton took his second win of the season before the three-week break came around.
As the season resumed, the next round was at Verstappen’s home circuit in the Netherlands, where Norris spoiled Verstappen’s home party by taking the victory. Italy was the season’s final race in Europe, and Leclerc won again, this time at his Ferrari’s track, in the first celebration for the Tifosi in quite a while.
Singapore followed, and Norris was again a winner; with that win, he began to close in on Verstappen, who had not had a win since Spain. Ferrari took the next two races in North America, with Leclerc winning in Austin and Sainz victorious in Mexico. Brazil completed a three-week race, and heavy rain was the order of the day as Verstappen won. Surprisingly, Alpine claimed second and third with Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly. Then, Russell won his second race in Las Vegas, and Verstappen won again in Qatar.
The final race in Abu Dhabi was a battle for the Constructors’ Championship between McLaren and Ferrari. The papaya group won their first title in 26 years when Norris claimed the win.
Next season might be interesting if only because of youth engagement. Five rookies will be on the grid. In addition, four veterans will change teams: Hamilton will drive for Ferrari, Sainz for Williams, Nico Hulkenberg for Sauber, and Ocon for Haas.
Now it’s time for a break, returning in February with another season.
