New Delhi: What an amazing season we have had at Formula One. It has been a standout year for many reasons. There was a lot of excitement built even before the season had begun, with one of the biggest news coming from Lewis Hamilton, who drove his last season with Mercedes, going to Ferrari in the 2025 season.
There were vestiges of young talents arriving on the big platform with Ollie Berman and coming for Ferrari and Mercedes on a few occasions. As Max Verstappen kept getting challenged for a stake in the fourth Championship title, the story in the paddock had many surprises in store. Overall in the season, there were seven race winners with Lando Norris emerging as a surprise contender for the Driver’s Championship title. With mid-season termination and surprises, it was a perfect F1 season.
Max Verstappen
One step closer…
This time last week, Max Verstappen put in an unbelievable drive to go from 17th to first in what could be a championship defining moment 🏆#F1 #BrazilGP pic.twitter.com/sAWzTrrO8j
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 10, 2024
It was expected that Max would be dominating the season and winning his fourth Championship in a row. The Dutch driver started with back-to-back wins at the start of the season and ended with nine wins and 14 podium finishes. His 2023 season was a dream run, of course. There is little doubt that Verstappen is going to have his name along with some of the greats of the race.
While there is no lack of Verstappen’s brilliance, if there was a top moment to sum up his season, it would be the Brazilian GP. Verstappen was 17th in the starting grid after getting a penalty for breaching the safety car. From here, Verstappen displayed some of his amazing driving prowess, winning one of the best races in wet conditions. At Las Vegas, collecting ten points was enough for the 27-year-old to take home his fourth Championship, making him the sixth driver ever to do so.
McLaren
WOKE UP FEELING LIKE CHAMPIONS. pic.twitter.com/ZlpJAeviji
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) December 9, 2024
It was a year of revival for McLaren who ended the season atop Constructors’ Standings for the first time since 1998. Back then the team was still known as McLaren-Mercedes and the drivers were Mika Hakkinen and David Coulthard. The unfancied pair of Norris and Oscar Piastry drove some great races, with the former even threatening to take away the Driver’s Championship at one point.
It was the first time in 14 years that a team other than Mercedes and Red Bull had won the Constructors Championship. McLaren won six races and collected 666 points, beating Ferrari by 14 points. At the Hungarian Grand Prix, McLaren took home their first one-and-two finish since 2021. It was also Piastri’s first win GP win. It was only the 12th time that a team had managed to win a Constructors’ title without their driver winning the Championship.
Lewis Hamilton
Record-breaking. Historic. Iconic. Ready to write the final chapter together
Thank you, Lewis pic.twitter.com/eVTlYpAe5y
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) December 3, 2024
It was an emotional goodbye from seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton as he got out of the Mercedes Petronas car for the final time at the Saudi Arabia GP, the British driver fourth. Hamilton won twice this season and had five podium finishes, almost turning back the clock. While in the British Grand Prix, he won his first race after three years, it showed how much is left in him and what he can give to Ferrari.
That was the biggest question on Hamilton’s signing, with many wondering why Ferrari chose Hamilton with many doubting if the 39-year-old is the right fit with Charle Leclerc. Still, his record precedes himself, having won the World Championship seven times and winning 105 races. As Hamilton looks for his eighth World Champion, he enters a team he always dreamt of driving for.
A season of firsts
Points for @OllieBearman on his @F1 debut!! 👏 Beautifully driven Ollie!#SaudiArabianGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/SLGFSOUhF1
— Scuderia Ferrari HP (@ScuderiaFerrari) March 9, 2024
There were many firsts this season with both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri scoring their maiden wins. Norris scored his first career win in the 2024 Miami GP while his Australian teammate won his first race in the Hungarian Grand Prix. The Brazil Grand Prix had a surprise podium finish from both Alpine cars.
Oliver Bearman, a F2 graduate made his first appearance in the Saudi Arabian after Carlos Sainz missed out on the race due to an appendix surgery. He became the youngest driver ever to race for a Ferrari. He finished seventh and will be seen in action with Hass-Ferrari next year.
Surprise moves
Introducing our Managing Technical Partner, Adrian Newey. pic.twitter.com/dFlop90SyS
— Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team (@AstonMartinF1) September 10, 2024
Adrian Newey is one of the best F1 designers ever, and he is one of the core reasons for Red Bull’s success over the last few years. When former Grand Tour host Jeremy Clarkson revealed that Newey was “house hunting in Oxfordshire”, everyone had guessed Newey’s intention to not stay at Red Bull. This news had actually confirmed that Newey wouldn’t be going to Ferrari either and it was only a matter of time before Aston Martin announced him as their new designer.
One of the biggest moves came for Carlos Sainz as well after being out of contract due to Lewis Hamilton’s arrival. It was a frustrating time for one of the best drivers on the grid this season. Williams has now signed the Spanish driver for the 2025 season. Andrea Kimi Antonelli will be filling Hamilton’s seat at Mercedes while Liam Lawson, in a surprise move, replaces Sergio Perez in Red Bull who had earlier signed a new contract with the team.
Here’s a look back at the big moments from the Formula One season of 2024, as for the 12th time Constructor’s championship and driver’s championship were won by two different teams. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
