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That’s the cover. After a record 24 races, 2024 F1 season ended on Sunday in Abu Dhabi with Lando Norris guidance McLaren to the glory of constructors.
What a topsy-turvy and ever-evolving season it has been. From Red Bull’s track dominance and paddock turmoil at the start of the season to multiple winners and thrilling races, there was drama at every turn.
And for the first time since 2021, we had a real race for the title and that while Max Verstappen eventually winning his fourth consecutive world championship, Norris pushed him in the final three races.
Seven drivers won the races in total, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri taking their first F1 victories. Lewis Hamilton broke a nearly 1,000-day winning streak with a an emotional victory at the British Grand Prix.
now, The Independent picks the winners and losers of a 2024 season that has already perfectly set the tone for a potential all-time 2025 campaign.
The best driver
Max Verstappen – It’s boring, I know. The world champion gets the best gong. But before November, the answer would be Lando Norris.
Still the most impressive drive of Verstappen’s life in Brazil – from the 17thth online to a 20 second difference – that made a difference. It effectively sealed the world title and he ended up taking five more wins over the course of the season than the McLaren driver.
Four per turn. Five in a row – in a Red Bull that no longer looks consistently fast – would put him among the greats.
Places on the podium: Lando Norris, Nico Hulkenberg
The best team
McLaren – It should not be underestimated how monumental an achievement this was for papaya.
After the first four races, McLaren was third overall and already 72 points behind Red Bull. But from Norris’ victory in Miami onwards, they managed to take the fight to the reigning world champions and overtake them, as well as thwarting a late challenge from Ferrari.
Full credit to team principal Andrea Stella and managing director Zak Brown for their superb driver selection and astute engagement of mechanics, with ex-Red Bull engineer Rob Marshall playing a leading role in McLaren’s sudden surge in speed, particularly on the straights.
Places on the podium: Ferrari, Haas
The biggest surprise
Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari – Okay, a bit cheeky considering it was before the start of the 2024 season, but nothing stunned the F1 (and sports) world more than this transfer.
It was a real day when Mercedes, astonishingly, did not deny reports that emerged from the Italian media that Hamilton had decided to leave his beloved Silver Arrows and end the most successful partnership in F1 history.
Inevitably, next year’s transfer was a constant theme in the background throughout the year. Did it affect Hamilton’s performance? Who knows. Either way, we can’t wait to see how it plays out.
Podium places: Adrian Newey leaves Red Bull/joins Aston Martin, Mercedes promotes Kimi Antonelli in 2025
The biggest disappointment
Daniel Ricciardo – This was the closeness between the three drivers: Ricciardo, Sergio Perez and Logan Sargeant.
Sargeant’s axing after the Dutch GP was a while coming and, given his consistent place at the back, perhaps not entirely surprising.
Still, Ricciardo’s inability to produce even a glimmer of his top speed was a big old shame. It was no secret that Perez’s place at Red Bull was up for grabs if he could. Therefore Aussie overshadows him.
Places on the podium: Sergio Perez, Logan Sargeant
The moment of the year
Lando Norris wins the Miami Grand Prix – This was a difficult call. But Norris waited so long for his first F1 victory that when it came, the joy was palpable.
It was also the first indication of McLaren’s blistering race pace, setting up a thriller for the 2024 season.
Places on the podium: Lewis Hamilton won the British GP, Max Verstappen won the Brazilian GP
Overtaking the year
Alex Albon, Canada – This was a spectacular maneuver.
Down the back straight on Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Albon moved to the outside to pass Daniel Ricciardo, before sliding ahead of Esteban Ocon down the inside before the final chicane.
Excellent position of the car between two cars.
Places on the podium: Max Verstappen, Brazil; Oscar Piastri, Azerbaijan
Rising star
Ollie Bearman – A dream debut for the British teenager in Saudi Arabia, seamlessly filling in for Carlos Sainz to scored points on his F1 debut for Ferrari.
From that moment, his place at Haas in 2025 was virtually assured. He took his chance. It doesn’t matter that he finished a lowly 12thth on table F2.
Places on the podium: Gabriel Bortoleto; Franco Colapinto
The best race
Brazilian Grand Prix – A weekend in Sao Paulo that decides the championship and causes drama.
Heavy rain meant we had qualifying on Sunday morning and, such was the grid that had formed, it looked set to result in a huge points swing in Norris’ favour. There were also five collisions in the qualifying minutes.
But the race proved to be a wet-weather masterclass from Verstappen. While others were slipping and sliding across the race track into the walls, the Dutchman was the epitome of perfection.
Places on the podium: British Grand Prix; Austrian Grand Prix
The worst race
Bahrain Grand Prix – For all the soap operas off the track at the season opener in Bahrain, it was business as usual on the tarmac for Red Bull. A one-two finish – and a bad race.
Much to our relief, it didn’t set the tone for the rest of the year.
On the podium: Japan, Monaco