F1 2024: WHO’S HOT AND WHO’S NOT
RED BULL RAC|NG Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez
Won 21 of 22 races last year, with Verstappen bagging 19 victories to take his third consecutive world championship. The only weak point is Perez’s contribution, which must improve.
MERCEDES-AMG Lewis Hamilton, George Russell
Finished second last year despite a capricious car, leading to fundamental design changes. The outfit has the drivers and pedigree, but it may be too early to challenge Red Bull consistently.
SCUDER|A FERRAR| Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz
Seven pole positions last year but only one win showed Ferrari’s race-pace weakness. |f the major shift of car concept pays o and consistency improves it will more regularly threaten Red Bull.
McLAREN RAC|NG Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri
Leapt from backmarker to podium regular during 2023, leading to confidence that big development gains have been made. That and an exciting driver line-up could see McLaren threatening for wins.
ASTON MART|N Fernando Alonso, Lance Stroll
Faded badly after a strong start in 2023, so it’s a coin-toss whether it’s at the front of the midfield this year. Will be dependent on the evergreen Alonso.
ALP|NE Pierre Gasly, Esteban Ocon
Perennial underachievers were mired firmly in the midfield last year, despite lofty aspirations. Expect more of the same in 2024, but with the occasional big result for these mercurial drivers.
W|LL|AMS RAC|NG Alex Albon, Logan Sargeant
Finished seventh in the championship thanks to Alex Albon’s remarkable performances, but F1’s sleeping giant still needs more time – and money spent – to awaken, so expect more of the same for the foreseeable.
RAC|NG BULLS Yuki Tsunoda, Daniel Ricciardo
Rallied late last year to become a top-10 regular and now forging closer ties with Red Bull Racing. Ricciardo will get the attention, but the temperamental Tsunoda was quicker last year.
STAKE/SAUBER Valtteri Bottas, Zhou Guanyu
Sauber-owned, the name change from Alfa Romeo to Stake will tide the team over until it becomes Audi in 2026. Anything better than another mostly anonymous season would be a surprise.
HAAS Nico Hulkenberg, Kevin Magnussen
Fast over a lap but slow over a race stint meant a dismal 2023 that led to the departure of charismatic team boss Guenther Steiner – where will those Netflix producers go for their colour now? Expect more disappointment in 2024, sadly.