Highlights of the 2024 Formula 1 season

Twenty-four races. Too many for some, but there is one thing we can’t take away. Most have brought their share of surprises and historical events. On the day after the season’s end, we look back at some standout moments.

McLaren from Bottom to Top

It’s a bit of a surprise this season. While McLaren has made a leap in terms of performance since the start of 2023, the team has continued its progression in 2024. So much so that since Miami, it has become the best team on the grid, ahead of Ferrari and Red Bull. A first since 1998. However, this has not benefited Lando Norris, who has not managed to dethrone Max Verstappen.

His teammate, on the other hand, won his first Formula 1 Grand Prix in Hungary. This race is primarily marked by the radio confusion between the Briton and his team regarding letting Oscar Piastri pass.

Lewis Hamilton in his Silverstone garden

The Mercedes, the new version, that is to say with the new regulations, has always been performing well at Silverstone. We believed in a first victory in 2022, and also in 2023. But it was finally in 2024 that Lewis Hamilton triumphed in his backyard.

After a magnificent race, the Briton ended an endless streak. His last win was in 2021 in Saudi Arabia. The seven-time world champion repeated the feat a little later, at Spa.

Alpine in Interlagos

It is certainly what saved the season for the French team. In Brazil, Alpine braved the elements to lead the race for a while, before Max Verstappen showcased his skill in the rain. Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly brought their car to the podium. A situation that allowed Oliver Oakes’ structure to beat Haas for the constructors’ championship.

Charles Leclerc breaks the Monegasque curse

Still unlucky at home, Charles Leclerc has finally broken the spell this year. The Ferrari driver had never won on his home turf: due to breakdowns, strategic errors, accidents…

In 2024, he was perfect in leading the 78 laps of the Principality’s circuit. As a nod, he and his boss, Fred Vasseur, dived into the port as they had promised to do for so long in case of a victory for the duo.

The man in number 16 also delivered an ideal performance a few weeks later at Monza. Thanks to a bold strategy, he enabled the Scuderia to triumph in front of the Tifosi. The McLarens, although faster, were taken by surprise.

Max Verstappen makes a new rival

Although friends off the tracks, Max Verstappen and Lando Norris were rivals on the track this season. The two men contested the world championship title. But the superiority of the Dutchman prevailed over the Briton.

The two drivers sometimes made contact, as in the Austrian Grand Prix. Both cars were then heavily damaged, and this incident handed victory to George Russell. Lando Norris is also the first man to have defeated Max Verstappen, on his home turf, in Zandvoort.

The time of farewells

Many drivers have raced their last Formula 1 race. Unless there is a change, Valtteri Bottas and Guanyu Zhou have bid farewell to Sauber. Kevin Magnussen has also closed the Haas chapter. The Dane is now tied to BMW and the LMDh endurance project. Sergio Perez is also expected to leave the F1 world, although nothing has been confirmed by Red Bull yet.

Daniel Ricciardo was also let go mid-season by the Red Bull family. The Australian raced his last Grand Prix in Singapore. He was replaced by Liam Lawson. Logan Sargeant was also fired by Williams after poor results. Franco Colapinto was called up by the British team to replace the American.

Officially, the Argentine does not have a contract for 2025, but he is reportedly in Alpine’s good books to support Pierre Gasly.

A season of sharing

Finally, 2024 was one of the most competitive seasons since 2012. Seven different drivers stood on the top step of the podium, representing a total of four teams. There were also ten men who proudly displayed their team colors on the podium.