2024 - The Year in Review
2024 was Formula 1's 75th World Championship! And what a season we’ve had. This review is our way of celebrating success and overcoming challenges.
ROUND 1 - Bahrain 🇧🇭
Just a week after pre-season testing, Formula 1 returned to Bahrain for the first 24 intense rounds in the 2024 Formula One World Championship. The Grand Prix was held on Saturday evening out of respect for Ramadan.
Could there have been a better way to kick off the season than with a Grand Chelem? That’s precisely what Max Verstappen achieved at the Bahrain Grand Prix. In a commanding performance, he secured victory and claimed pole position, led all 57 laps, and set the fastest race lap. His blistering 1:32.608 on lap 39 was a full second and a half faster than Charles Leclerc’s second-best time of 1:34.090. Verstappen was joined on the podium by teammate Sergio Pérez in second and Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz in third.
ROUND 2 - Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦
As in Bahrain, the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was held on Saturday night. However, the event was far from straightforward, as Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz was diagnosed with acute appendicitis and required surgery, forcing him to withdraw from the race. With neither Antonio Giovinazzi nor Robert Shwartzman available in Jeddah, Ferrari turned to F2 driver Oliver Bearman as a last-minute replacement.
Red Bull continued to assert its dominance this season with another one-two finish in Jeddah, as Max Verstappen claimed victory ahead of teammate Sergio Pérez, mirroring last week’s result in Sakhir. Once again, a Ferrari driver completed the podium, this time thanks to Charles Leclerc.
ROUND 3 - Australia 🇦🇺
The Australian Grand Prix marked the first race of the season to be held on a Sunday, and Max Verstappen started strong by securing his third consecutive pole position of 2024 in the Red Bull—his fourth straight if counting the final race of 2023 in Abu Dhabi.
What a dramatic race at Albert Park! It began with Verstappen retiring early due to severe brake issues, with his left rear practically exploding as he entered the pits. A few laps later, Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes W15 succumbed to power unit problems, forcing his retirement. As the race neared its conclusion, George Russell, in a determined bid to pass Fernando Alonso for sixth place, lost control of his car at the high-speed Turn 6/7 complex. He crashed into the barriers and landed on his side on the racing line, triggering a Virtual Safety Car that lasted until the finish.
In the end, it was a triumphant one-two finish for Ferrari. Carlos Sainz, still recovering from surgery, claimed his first victory since Singapore last September, while Charles Leclerc took second place. Sergio Pérez completed the podium in third.
ROUND 4 - Japan 🇯🇵
Formula 1 returned to Japan just over six months after its previous visit, with the Japanese Grand Prix making history by being held in April for the first time.
Max Verstappen delivered yet another commanding performance, claiming victory at Suzuka for the third consecutive year and securing the 57th win of his career. Sergio Pérez completed a Red Bull one-two, the team’s third of the season and 31st overall. Meanwhile, Carlos Sainz rounded out the podium with a strong third-place finish, his third in as many starts this season after missing Jeddah due to appendicitis.
ROUND 5 - China 🇨🇳
The Formula 1 family returned to China for the first time since the 2019 race in Shanghai, marking the occasion with a Sprint Weekend.
Max Verstappen stole the show on Saturday, achieving a clean sweep with victory in the season's first Sprint Race in the morning and securing his first-ever pole position at this track in the afternoon.
The Dutchman’s dominance continued on Sunday, as the three-time world champion added another race win to his tally. Joining him on the podium were Lando Norris in second for McLaren and Sergio Pérez in third for Red Bull.
ROUND 6 - Miami 🇺🇸
After starting the season in the Middle East, followed by a race Down Under and two in Asia, the Formula 1 family arrived in sunny Florida for the Miami Grand Prix, the second Sprint Weekend on this year’s calendar.
Max Verstappen dominated Saturday’s action, winning the Sprint Race at lunchtime and clinching his first Miami Grand Prix pole position in qualifying five hours later.
Sunday’s race, however, belonged to Lando Norris. The British driver secured his maiden Formula 1 victory in the third edition of the Miami Grand Prix. Max Verstappen, struggling with balance issues, couldn’t match Norris’s pace in the final stages and had to settle for second. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc rounded out the podium in third.
ROUND 7 - Emilia Romagna 🇮🇹
Formula 1 departed the Americas and returned to its roots in Europe—the fourth continent visited in just a few months this season.
Late Thursday afternoon, drivers from F1, F2, and F3, along with Formula 1 personnel, team members, and media representatives, joined a tribute run organized by Sebastian Vettel. The run led to Imola’s Tamburello corner to honor the memories of Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger.
““Ayrton stood for so many causes and had such a great spirit. Probably a lot of people were inspired by his time and his legacy and take inspiration still today in situations like that (Referencing the situation in Brazil) and pass it onto their kids and children and tell the story. That’s why we’re here. That’s why I’m here. It’s not at all about me. I’m just trying to retell the story and remember him and his colors, trying to inspire the other drivers – the current drivers – to remember that and be inspired by him.””
Before the Grand Prix, Sebastian Vettel took his own ex-Ayrton Senna McLaren MP4/8, chassis No. 6—the last McLaren Senna ever drove—for a poignant series of laps around the Imola Circuit. On his penultimate lap, Vettel unfurled a Brazilian flag, and on the final lap, an Austrian flag, paying tribute to Senna and Ratzenberger, who lost their lives 30 years ago during the tragic weekend of April 30–May 1, 1994.
As for the Grand Prix, Max Verstappen secured another victory, though Lando Norris came tantalizingly close to repeating his Miami triumph. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc completed the podium in third.
ROUND 8 - Monaco 🇲🇨
Monaco, the crown jewel of Formula 1! The Monaco Grand Prix is a true classic on the F1 calendar, and in 2024, it reached an impressive milestone as the 70th edition to count towards the Drivers’ World Championship. Only Monza has appeared on the F1 calendar more often than Monaco.
For Charles Leclerc, it was a weekend to remember as he finally broke his Monaco curse. Quickest in Friday’s free practice and dominant in Saturday’s qualifying, the Monegasque delivered a flawless performance on Sunday to claim his first-ever victory at his home race. This marked Leclerc’s sixth career Formula 1 win. Joining him on the podium were Oscar Piastri, securing second place for McLaren, and Ferrari teammate Carlos Sainz in third.
It was such an emotional win that even Prince Albert broke protocol, and with joyful tears in his eyes, he sprayed champagne after the podium ceremony as well.
ROUND 9 - Canada 🇨🇦
Formula 1 returned to North America after two thrilling European rounds in Imola and Monaco. The Canadian Grand Prix brought another continental shift, and as always, Canada delivered an action-packed race in Montreal.
The race began on a wet track, with eighteen drivers opting for intermediate tires, while the Haas pair chose extreme wets. Magnussen and Hulkenberg put on a thrilling display in the early stages. However, when the checkered flag finally waved, it was Max Verstappen who crossed the finish line first. It was one of his best victories, achieved in a race that featured three different leaders—George Russell, Lando Norris, and Verstappen—each representing Mercedes, McLaren, and Red Bull, respectively. Verstappen was joined on the podium by Norris in second and Russell in third.
ROUND 10 - Spain 🇪🇸
The tenth round of the 2024 season is widely regarded as a challenging event in Formula 1. As usual, the Spanish Grand Prix took place at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, a track known for its technical demands on both cars and tires.
Max Verstappen showcased his racing mastery at the Spanish Grand Prix, securing his 61st career victory and his fourth win at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. The race stood out for its rare lack of retirements, with only 11 of the 20 starters completing the full race distance, while nine drivers were lapped. Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton rounded out the podium in second and third, respectively.
ROUND 11 - Austria 🇦🇹
The second leg of the first triple-header of the season, the Austrian Grand Prix, took place at Spielberg, where the Red Bull Ring hosted the third Sprint format weekend of the year.
Max Verstappen continued his flawless form, securing another pole position and dominating the weekend—fastest in free practice, Sprint Qualifying, the Sprint Race, and qualifying for the Grand Prix.
However, the race ended with an unexpected twist as George Russell claimed victory, marking a significant comeback for both himself and Mercedes. The race was filled with drama, including a fierce battle between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, which culminated in a collision that forced both drivers to pit for tire damage. Verstappen managed to return to the track and finish fifth, while Norris was less fortunate, retiring early. Joining Russell on the podium were McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz.
ROUND 12 - Great Britain 🇬🇧
The British Grand Prix marked the midpoint of the 2024 FIA Formula 1 season, with round 12 of 24 taking place at the historic Silverstone Circuit, where it all began 74 years ago. On May 13, 1950, this airfield hosted the first-ever World Championship Grand Prix, with Nino Farina taking victory in an Alfa Romeo fitted with Pirelli tires.
Saturday’s qualifying session saw three Brits claim the top three grid positions, much to the delight of the Silverstone crowd. In a thrilling and dramatic session, George Russell came out on top with a time of 1:25.819, edging out his Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton (1:25.990), while McLaren’s Lando Norris secured third with a time of 1:26.030.
However, it was Lewis Hamilton who triumphed in the 75th edition of the British Grand Prix, ending a 945-day winless streak that had stretched back to the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. With this victory, Hamilton now boasts 104 Formula 1 wins, nine of which have come at Silverstone, making him the driver with the most wins at a single Grand Prix. Joining Hamilton on the podium were Max Verstappen in second place for Red Bull and Lando Norris in third for McLaren.
ROUND 13 - Hungary 🇭🇺
Drama, controversy, and politics unfolded at the Hungarian Grand Prix! After a short break following three back-to-back races, the Formula 1 family headed to Hungary for a double-header featuring two tracks that couldn’t be more different: the Hungaroring and Spa-Francorchamps.
In the end, McLaren dominated both qualifying and the race, with Oscar Piastri securing his maiden Formula 1 victory. Lando Norris, who started from pole, finished just behind his teammate. Lewis Hamilton completed the podium, marking his 200th top-three finish from 345 Grand Prix starts, a remarkable hit rate of 57.97%.
INTERESTING FACT: Oscar Piastri became the first driver born in the 21st century to win a Formula 1 race.
ROUND 14 - Belgium 🇧🇪
The last Grand Prix before the summer break took place at Spa-Francorchamps, one of the most iconic race tracks in the world. This 7-kilometer circuit, winding through the Ardennes forests, is famous for its dramatic climbs and descents that challenge drivers at every turn. Names like Eau Rouge, Raidillon, La Source, Kemmel, Stavelot, and Malmedy have made the Belgian Grand Prix legendary.
History repeated itself as Max Verstappen set the fastest time in qualifying, posting a 1:42.159 in Q3. However, he had to forfeit pole position due to exceeding the allowed number of power units and gearboxes. Verstappen’s time was nearly six-tenths faster than Charles Leclerc’s 1:42.754, but due to a grid penalty for using his fifth internal combustion engine of the season, he started ten places back.
The race was thrilling from start to finish, including the closest three-way finish since 2016, with just 1.173 seconds separating the top three. However, the final result wasn’t confirmed until after the checkered flag. On track, it was a Mercedes one-two, with George Russell leading Lewis Hamilton and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri in third. But post-race scrutineering revealed that Russell’s car was underweight according to technical regulations, resulting in his disqualification. As a result, Hamilton was awarded the win, with Piastri promoted to second and Leclerc taking third.
ROUND 15 - The Netherlands 🇳🇱
Formula 1 returned to action at one of the most challenging circuits of the season. The Dutch Grand Prix was held at the classic Zandvoort track, nestled in the dunes along the North Sea coast. The circuit, updated in recent years to rejoin the F1 calendar in 2021 after a 36-year absence, has maintained its original character. With a twisty layout featuring 14 corners—four left-handers and ten right-handers—across its 4.259-kilometer length, Zandvoort remains a true test for drivers.
Orange was the dominant color in qualifying, but not in the shade typically associated with local hero Max Verstappen. Instead, it was the papaya hue of Lando Norris and McLaren that stole the show. Norris delivered an exceptional performance, securing pole position and outdoing Verstappen’s final attempt in an exciting Q3 finale.
Lando Norris took full advantage of his pole position, winning the Dutch Grand Prix and setting the fastest lap on the final lap. Max Verstappen, in his 200th Grand Prix appearance, kept the hopes of the home crowd alive with a strong second-place finish. Charles Leclerc secured third, marking Ferrari’s 12th podium of the season.
ROUND 16 - Italy 🇮🇹
The Italian Grand Prix is more than just a race—it’s a celebration of speed, precision, and pure adrenaline. A permanent fixture on the Formula 1 World Championship calendar since its inception, this year marked the 75th edition of the event. It has been held at Monza every year, except for the 1980 race, which took place at Imola.
Qualifying was an exciting affair, with the top four teams filling the first eight spots on the grid: McLaren, Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull. It was a battle to the very end, with Lando Norris coming out on top. He secured his fifth pole position, his fourth of the season, and his second in a row after winning pole in Zandvoort the previous week.
However, it was Ferrari’s beating red heart that proved strongest at Monza. Charles Leclerc triumphed in the Italian Grand Prix for the second time in his career, claiming his seventh Formula 1 victory. This win also marked Ferrari’s 20th victory at the Italian Grand Prix, making them the first team in F1 history to reach such a milestone at a single circuit. The victory was Ferrari’s 246th in Formula 1 overall. The McLaren duo of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris completed the podium, though it was notably strange to see Norris so subdued after finishing third, barely participating in the team’s celebrations afterward.
ROUND 17 - Azerbaijan 🇦🇿
The final third of the season kicked off in the Azerbaijani capital of Baku, a city with a rich history, once founded by Alexander the Great. Its name, derived from the Persian bād kūbak, meaning "gust of wind," reflects the city’s characteristic breezes. Baku has hosted a Formula 1 Grand Prix every year since 2016, except in 2020. Initially called the Grand Prix of Europe in its debut year, the event now bears the name of the host country. For the first time in 2024, the race took place in September, rather than the usual April or June, a change set to continue next year to streamline the calendar.
Charles Leclerc claimed his fourth consecutive pole position in Baku, continuing his impressive qualifying form.
After an exhilarating race in a city that never disappoints, living up to its motto, "Well done, Baku," it was Oscar Piastri who emerged victorious at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. This win marked his second career victory in Formula 1, achieved in the very early stages of his career. Piastri was followed by Charles Leclerc and George Russell, who completed the podium.
ROUND 18 - Singapore 🇸🇬
Baku and Singapore are about seven thousand kilometers apart, presenting a significant logistical challenge for Formula 1 this season. The circus successfully moved personnel, cars, and equipment from the Caspian Sea to the city-state where the Malacca Strait meets the South China Sea, marking the first time these two races have been held back-to-back.
After a thrilling qualifying session, Lando Norris claimed pole position, securing his sixth career pole and fifth of the season.
In the end, it was Norris who triumphed, securing his third career win and leading from lights out to the chequered flag. This victory marked McLaren’s return to the top step of the Singapore podium, ending a 15-year drought since Lewis Hamilton’s win in 2009. Norris crossed the line ahead of Max Verstappen, whose winless streak at Singapore extended to eight Grand Prix. Oscar Piastri completed the podium in third, securing his ninth podium finish in just 40 Grand Prix starts.
Daniel Ricciardo set the fastest lap of the race for the 17th time in his career, his first since Monza in 2021, also with McLaren. It was also Racing Bulls' first-ever fastest lap. Ricciardo, voted 'Driver of the Day' by fans on F1.com, was participating in his last Formula 1 race after being let go by the RB team.
ROUND 19 - United States 🇺🇸
The 2024 United States Grand Prix marked the first leg of an all-American triple-header. Significant changes had been made at COTA (Circuit of the Americas), including resurfacing work that began two years ago, now completed between turns 9 and 12 and between turns 16 and 3. These sections cover the two longest straights where DRS can be deployed. The track's abrasiveness may have changed compared to last year, as a new layer of bitumen typically offers a smoother surface than older ones. This made gathering as much data as possible during the one-hour free practice session—held early Friday afternoon under the Sprint format—critical for the teams.
Max Verstappen showcased his dominance in the Saturday Sprint race, claiming his 11th victory from the 16 F1 Sprints held to date. He was followed closely by Carlos Sainz, Lando Norris, and Charles Leclerc.
In Qualifying, Lando Norris secured pole position in a somewhat surprising session, marking his seventh career pole and sixth of the season.
The United States Grand Prix concluded with a Ferrari one-two, as Charles Leclerc claimed his eighth Formula 1 victory and third of the season. The Monegasque driver crossed the line ahead of teammate Carlos Sainz, securing Ferrari’s 87th one-two finish and making the team the most successful in terms of victories in Formula 1 races held in the USA, with 14 wins. This marked Ferrari’s first 1-2 in the USA since the 2006 Indianapolis Grand Prix. Max Verstappen joined them on the podium in third.
ROUND 20 - Mexico 🇲🇽
The second stop on Formula 1’s long journey through the Americas took place in Mexico City, at the circuit named in honor of brothers Pedro and Ricardo Rodríguez. After this, the circus moved on to São Paulo to conclude the run of three consecutive races.
Carlos Sainz dominated Q3, with both of his timed laps fast enough to secure pole position, making him the only driver to break the 1:16 barrier.
Though 1,200 kilometers separate Austin from Mexico City, not much seemed to have changed since the previous week. A Ferrari triumphed in Texas, and a Ferrari triumphed in the Mexican capital. This time, it was Carlos Sainz who crossed the finish line first, while his teammate Charles Leclerc finished in third. In between them was Lando Norris, who took second place.
ROUND 21 - Brazil 🇧🇷
The São Paulo Grand Prix brought the curtain down on Formula 1’s extended journey across the Americas, with races in Austin, Mexico City, and now Interlagos, all held at one-week intervals. A common thread ran through these three Grand Prix, though it was a rather dark one—new asphalt. While only sections of the tracks in Austin and Mexico City were resurfaced, all 4.309 kilometers of the São Paulo circuit, including the pit lane, were completely renewed.
McLaren took a one-two finish in Saturday’s Sprint race, the only track action of the day, as heavy rain in the afternoon meant that qualifying was postponed to Sunday morning.
In a touching tribute to Ayrton Senna on the 30th anniversary of his tragic passing, the São Paulo Grand Prix provided another opportunity to honor the Brazilian legend. Lewis Hamilton took Senna’s 1990 championship-winning McLaren-Honda MP4/5B for a lap around the Interlagos circuit.
Rain continued to be a major factor throughout the weekend, influencing both qualifying and the race. Extreme wet conditions affected the first part of qualifying, forcing teams to switch to intermediate tires. The session, which lasted nearly an hour and 45 minutes, was interrupted five times due to crashes as the rain’s intensity fluctuated.
Despite the challenges, Max Verstappen delivered one of the finest performances of his career. Starting from 17th on the grid, he fought his way through the field to secure victory. This win, Verstappen’s 62nd career win and his eighth of the season, brought Red Bull’s total for the year to 121 wins, with eight of those coming at Interlagos. Joining Verstappen on the podium were both Alpine drivers, with Esteban Ocon finishing second and Pierre Gasly in third.
ROUND 22 - Las Vegas 🇺🇸
The 2024 season marked Formula 1’s fourth visit to Las Vegas. After two events held on a temporary track around Caesars Palace in 1981 and 1982, Grand Prix racing made its return to the entertainment capital of the world in 2023, with a circuit that incorporates part of the iconic Strip, which inspired the event's name.
As in 2023, the weekend began with two free practice sessions on Thursday, culminating in a Saturday night race held entirely under floodlights.
With temperatures barely exceeding 10°C, preparing for the flying lap was a critical factor in determining the outcome of qualifying, and this proved to be the case. It was George Russell who secured pole position for the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
In the end, Mercedes delivered a triumphant one-two finish, with George Russell leading Lewis Hamilton across the line. The race also saw Max Verstappen clinch his fourth consecutive Drivers’ World Championship after finishing fifth. Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz rounded out the podium in third.
ROUND 23 - Qatar 🇶🇦
The final back-to-back races of the longest Formula 1 season in history began in Qatar, marking the sixth Grand Prix weekend to feature the Sprint format this year. Doha and Las Vegas are separated by 13,000 kilometers (as the crow flies) and an 11-hour time difference. Both events are night races near large deserts, but the similarities end there.
After the 19-lap Sprint, it was a McLaren one-two finish. Lando Norris voluntarily let his teammate, Oscar Piastri, pass just before the checkered flag after supporting him throughout the race by keeping him within DRS range, enabling Piastri to defend against George Russell in the Mercedes, who finished third.
In Qualifying, Max Verstappen set the fastest lap, but a few hours later, he received a one-place grid penalty after the Stewards determined he had driven unnecessarily slowly on a cooldown lap during Q3. This penalty meant Verstappen started on the front row, but it was George Russell who took Pole.
The night race at Losail was hectic and somewhat chaotic. Lando Norris had a great start, challenging Verstappen from the outset, until he was handed a 10-second stop-and-go penalty for failing to slow under yellow flags—almost costing him the race. After serving his penalty, Norris rejoined at the back of the field but fought his way into the points, finishing tenth.
Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton received a double penalty: first, a five-second penalty for a false start, followed by a drive-through penalty for speeding in the pit lane.
In the end, Max Verstappen claimed his ninth win of the season.
ROUND 24 - Abu Dhabi 🇦🇪
Emotions ran high even before the Grand Prix weekend began, as it marked the last race with Mercedes for Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari for Carlos Sainz, Sauber for Valtteri Bottas, Haas for Kevin Magnussen, and Red Bull for Sergio ‘Checo’ Perez. At Alpine, Esteban Ocon was substituted by Jack Doohan to allow the Frenchman to better prepare for his post-season tests with his new team, Haas, in 2025.
The Abu Dhabi weekend brought the curtain down on the longest-ever Formula 1 season, during which the sport traveled the world for 24 rounds. To date, the Yas Marina circuit has hosted motor racing’s blue riband category 15 times, twelve of them concluding the year.
On Saturday, McLaren was once again in the spotlight during the second day of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, with Lando Norris securing pole position ahead of teammate Oscar Piastri.
On Sunday, Abu Dhabi provided a perfect finale to the 2024 season, filled with excitement from start to finish—and even after the flag. Lando Norris took the win for McLaren, leading from lights out to the checkered flag, which was waved by the world’s No. 1-ranked tennis player, Jannik Sinner. Joining him on the podium were the two Ferrari drivers: Carlos Sainz finished second, ahead of Charles Leclerc. Meanwhile, Norris’s teammate, Oscar Piastri, finished tenth. The result secured McLaren their ninth Constructors’ World Championship title, tying them with Williams for second on the all-time list, behind Ferrari’s 16 titles. For the Woking-based team, it was their first title since 1998, even before Norris and Piastri were born.
Charles Leclerc was voted 'Driver of the Day' by F1.com fans after an impressive climb from 19th on the grid to finish on the podium.
IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR
The 2024 Formula 1 season will be remembered as one of the most thrilling in the sport's history. Widely regarded as a standout year by fans and pundits alike, it featured seven different race winners from four teams, culminating in Max Verstappen claiming his fourth consecutive World Championship title. The season also witnessed the remarkable resurgence of McLaren, who began the year as backmarkers but ultimately clinched the coveted World Constructors’ Championship from a fiercely competitive Scuderia Ferrari.
It was a year marked by moments of uncertainty, controversial stewarding decisions, and extraordinary drives. Highlights included Charles Leclerc's dramatic charge from nineteenth on the grid to third place in the final race, his emotional victories at Monaco and Monza, and Lewis Hamilton's unexpected triumph at the British Grand Prix. But the standout moment was Max Verstappen’s stunning performance in Brazil, where he climbed from seventeenth to win the Grand Prix—an achievement widely hailed as one of the greatest drives in Formula 1 history.
With McLaren’s resurgence and Verstappen's dominant form continuing into the final races, the 2024 season has set the stage for an even more thrilling championship battle next year. As the teams prepare for the off-season, all eyes will turn to the challenges awaiting in 2025.
DRIVER MOVES AND TEAM UPHEAVAL
The 2024 season was also marked by significant driver changes. Lewis Hamilton announced his move to Ferrari in 2025, replacing Carlos Sainz, who subsequently secured a seat at Williams. Ollie Bearman filled in for Sainz at Ferrari during the Spaniard’s recovery from surgery and later replaced Kevin Magnussen at Haas for one race. Liam Lawson stepped in for Daniel Ricciardo after the Australian was released by Red Bull Racing, while Franco Colapinto temporarily took over Logan Sargeant’s seat at Williams. Esteban Ocon was replaced by Jack Doohan for the season finale following Ocon’s announcement of his move to Haas in 2025. Finally, Nico Hülkenberg confirmed his switch from Haas to Sauber for the upcoming season.
Adding to the upheaval, design guru Adrian Newey stunned the paddock by leaving Red Bull to join Aston Martin in 2025.
DRIVERS WITHOUT A SEAT FOR 2025
At the end of the season, these drivers were left without a race seat for 2025:
Daniel Ricciardo
Kevin Magnussen
Sergio Pérez
Valtteri Bottas (set to serve as a reserve driver at Mercedes)
Zhou Guanyu
Franco Colapinto (remaining as a reserve driver at Williams)
NEW ARRIVALS ON THE 2025 GRID
The fresh faces joining the 2025 grid include:
Ollie Bearman (Haas)
Jack Doohan (Alpine)
Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
Liam Lawson (Red Bull Racing)
Isaac Hadjar (Red Bull Racing)
Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber)
LOOKING AHEAD
With cars becoming increasingly competitive and sweeping changes across teams, 2025 promises to be a landmark season in Formula 1 history. Fans eagerly anticipate the drama, rivalries, and innovation that the new season will undoubtedly bring.
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