F1 2024: A Season of Unpredictability

There is one thing that’s a certainty at the highest level of motorsport: change. Formula 1 is constantly moving, from city to city, with evolving driver lineups, technology, and cyclically, regulations. Nothing stands still in the world’s most glamorous, political and exciting series. That has been evident throughout the 2024 season, and in the finale at Abu Dhabi, where for the first time in 26 years, McLaren won the constructors title. 

Change didn’t seem prevalent at the start of the season. Following one of the most dominant seasons of all time in 2023, Max Verstappen kicked off ‘24 in style, winning the first four out of five races. Plenty in and around the sport expected much of the same to follow, and a procession year in which Red Bull and Max would win it all easily. But the year wasn’t to come to the Milton Keynes outfit that smoothly, and the season played out far more dramatically than anyone could have predicted. 

We saw a genuine, and unexpected, title challenge from Lando Norris and his papaya orange McLaren. Norris won his first race in Miami, and from pretty much there on out Verstappen’s early title lead slowed, with Norris gaining incrementally race on race. We also saw seven different winners throughout the year, and on some weekends all four of the top teams had a genuine chance to win. This was simply unthinkable last year in ‘23, when the only other non Red Bull driver to win a race was Carlos Sainz. 

In the end, Norris’ title push wasn’t enough, and Verstappen sealed the deal at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, winning the Driver’s title for the fourth time. This places him in haloed ground among champions, joining the likes of Vettel, Prost, Fangio, Hamilton and Schumacher, the only drivers with four or more to their name. But the Constructors’ Championship went on, all the way to the final race in Abu Dhabi. Like old times, Ferrari and McLaren both had the chance to win it, and with Oscar Piastri getting taken out on turn 1 by Verstappen, it looked as though the Scuderia might have a chance. But an imperious drive from Norris ensured it was his team that took home the trophy, much to the delight of a jubilant Zak Brown and co. "It's been a lovely journey," Norris said after the race. "To end the season like this is perfect. It feels wrong to say that McLaren have not won a championship in 26 years. Delivering that for the team has put the biggest smile possible on everyone's face. This is the biggest reward you can give back to everyone who designs the car, builds the car, gets the partners. Everyone has played such a big part, so just proud. Proud is my biggest thing."

It was an emotional weekend for more reasons than one. Chief among them was the fact it was Lewis Hamilton’s last race with Mercedes. After a 12 year stint with the team, Hamilton achieved everything that was possible in the sport with Mercedes, winning six Driver’s titles with the Bracknell-based team. We’ve known he’d move to Ferrari next year for some time, but it was no less strange seeing him in a silver Mercedes for one last time, a car and team that he’s become so synonymous with over the years. "Each moment I have known it was one of the last and it has been really clear and really hard to let go," Hamilton said. "When I stopped the car. I wanted to embrace the moment. Representing Mercedes has been the greatest moment of my life. Just giving thanks, my own spirit for not giving up, everyone the power to have built that car. I am proud of everyone."

Abu Dhabi felt like the end of an era. Lewis will go to Ferrari next year, and Sainz to Williams. But Valtteri Bottas, Zhou Guanyu and Kevin Magnussen are all out of contract for ‘25. Franco Colapinto and Liam Lawson’s futures aren’t secure, and there is speculation that Sergio Perez won’t be returning to Red Bull next season. A number of young new drivers will be entering next year also. These include Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who replaces Lewis at Mercedes, Oliver Bearman who will join Haas, Jack Doohan who’ll replace Ocon at Alpine, and Gabriel Bortoleto who will head to Sauber to partner Hulkenberg. 

These changes, along with the no doubt increased performance of Ferrari and McLaren, the ever increasing budgets of Aston Martin, the late season surge from Gasly and Alpine, and the recent burgeoning rivalry between George Russell and Verstappen, will make 2025 must-watch TV. And then, of course, the regulations get flipped on their head in 2026, resetting the playing field once again. Bring on March, Bahrain, and the drama that will ensue.