The 2024 Formula 1 World Championship finally ended at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. Record-breaking achievements, unexpected dramas, and fierce fighting across the grid mark this season's success. As the paddock wraps up its journey through 22 races across five continents, let’s dive into the defining moments of the 2024 F1 season.
A Historic Finale in Abu Dhabi
The final season of Formula 1 comes to an end in many ways. McLaren ended a 26-year drought by winning the F1 constructor title again. Meanwhile, the 7-time F1 World Champion driver departs from Mercedes F1, ending his 12-year-long drive with the Silver Arrows. McLaren driver Lando Norris won a commanding victory at the Yas Marina Circuit in 2024 Abu Dhabi GP. This win made McLaren's first constructors' championship title since 1998. The season began with Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing seemingly unstoppable. From the official lights out in the Bahrain Grand Prix to the Jeddah Street Circuit, the Red Bull resonates with their dominance.
The Papaya Squad Resurgence
The Papaya Squad McLaren represented their transitional transformation in the 2024 championship edition. They secured 6 Grand Prix victories with both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri behind the seat. This resurgence reflects the work dedication and compulsion between Andrea Stella and team principal Zak Brown. Both improved their strategic brilliance and technological advancements, allowing them to outperform rivals such as Ferrari and Mercedes in the constructors championship race.
Red Bull Dominance
Team Principal Christian Horner, RB chief motorsport advisor Helmut Marko, and Max Verstappen piled up the 2024 season again with their RB20. The RB20 F1 car was another masterpiece from Adrian Newey's design. Adrian detained the last vehicle for the raging bulls. The car was built upon the revolutionary concepts that made its predecessor, the RB18, nearly unbeatable. Max Verstappen's strategic exposure made him win the 4th driver’s title with the Austrian squad. However, Red Bull's magic did not last long with Sergio Perez, as his performance struggled throughout the season.
Mercedes’s Farewell To Hamilton’s Era
German giants Mercedes showed signs of improvement, with Lewis Hamilton and George Russell securing podium finishes. The Silver Arrows continued their technical evolution, with Lewis Hamilton and George Russell extracting the maximum from a car that showed a glimpse of winning races. With team principal Toto Wolff, the team secured 4th position with 468 points in the constructor’s championship standings.
The star driver, Lewis Hamilton, win at Silverstone feels special, but the Abu Dhabi race also marked an emotional farewell for him as he decided to leave the team after the 2024 season. His final race saw him finish fourth, and now we as fans are waiting behind the wheel for Ferrari in the next season.
Ferrari Title Fight
Ferrari showcases major improvements for the 2024 season. The new SF-24 shows significant improvements over the season, finishing second in the constructors' standings. The car achieved notable podium finishes from both Sainz and Leclerc, who consistently challenged McLaren in the constructor’s title. Carlos Sainz broke the stereotype of Red Bull at the Australian Grand Prix by finishing first. However, by the end of the season, Carlos will leave the team and will join Williams for the 2025 season.
Midfield Battles
The midfield battle in Formula 1 is one of the favorite battles to witness by F1 fans in favor of the championship fight at the front. However, it plays a pivotal role in the sport's drama. Teams with limited budgets push their limits on the machines and drivers to extract possible wins. Teams like Haas, Aston Martin, and Alpine have maintained their position but have not made significant variations compared to their rivals. While Lance Stroll has improved his performance relative to teammate Fernando Alonso, this made Aston Martin to be in 5th in the constructor’s standings.
Sauber Disastrous Season
After the departure of Alfa Romeo as a racing partner, Sauber Motorsport struggled badly this season. The 2024 season was nevertheless a nightmare for the Italian-based team. The team faced major disappointment, marked by a lack of competitiveness, strategic errors, and poor reliability. The team struggled to develop their C44 car, leaving them consistently at the back of the grid. The team was able to score a single point at the Qatar Grand Prix when Zhou Guanuyu finished in the top 10. The team rests at the last in the constructor standing with only 4 points scored throughout the season.
Alpine Mixed Opinion
The most disappointed team on the grid was the French automaker, Alpine. Their journey this season has been dead yet somewhat successful. After a remarkable start, they have managed to climb up to 8th place in the constructors' standings. However, internal disputes and leadership changes have affected their overall performance and direction as a team. The future rumors say that Alpine will be replaced by its own parent company, Renault Sports, making its return after the 2020 season.
Looking Ahead For The 2025
The 2024 season brought joyous moments for fans, as well as heartbreaking scenes on the track. As we reflect on this transformative season, questions arise about the future dynamics of Formula 1. With McLaren back in championship contention, Ferrari closing the gap, and Mercedes aiming to reclaim their former glory, the stage is set for an exciting 2025 season. Fans hope to see Hamilton Hammertime in Ferrari for the last time, as he nearly saw his career end with the championship team.
The new German giant, Audi, has taken over all stakes and priority of Sauber Motorsport for the 2025 season. The team will now be revamped as the Audi Sauber F1 team. With all new management and technical assistance, let's hope it dominates the midfield battle or receives the same fate as Kick Sauber faces in the 2024 season?
What were your favorite moments of Formula 1 from the 2024 season? Do let us know in the comments below. For more interesting insights from the world of F1, please subscribe for more.
