F1’s winter break will soon draw to a close as teams pull the wraps off their cars and hit the track for pre-season testing, with plenty of excitement and anticipation in the air.
If you weren’t already itching to go, we’ve picked out five things to whet your appetite for the new campaign…
1. A Closer Fight at the Front
Red Bull’s domination over the past two seasons is undeniable, with the Milton Keynes team winning 38 out of 44 races, including all but one in 2023, leading to back-to-back constructors’ crowns. Max Verstappen triumphed in 34 of those races to become a three-time world champion.
Despite Red Bull’s early switch to their 2024 design, given their considerable advantage, the task of catching up is immense. Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has compared it to climbing Mount Everest. However, rivals are determined to close the gap. McLaren’s upgrade package at the midway point last season transformed them from struggling for points to challenging for victories, achieving seven podium finishes in the final eight races.
Verstappen acknowledges McLaren’s potential strength in 2024, seeing them as a genuine threat. Mercedes has also made significant changes, with Technical Director James Allison commenting on improvements to eliminate “spiteful” characteristics from their car. Ferrari and Aston Martin showed promising signs last season, hinting at a possible multi-team title fight akin to the thrilling 2021 season.
2. A Record-Breaking Calendar
The 2024 F1 season promises more action than ever with a record 24 Grands Prix and six Sprints, meaning five red lights will go out a total of 30 times. The season starts in Bahrain on March 2, following three days of pre-season testing at the same venue, and will traverse five continents before concluding in Abu Dhabi on December 8.
A notable highlight is China’s return after a four-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Shanghai International Circuit will host the first of six Sprint weekends. Miami joins the Sprint list for the first time, with Brazil, Austria, Austin, and Qatar also hosting Sprints. This extensive calendar promises an unprecedented level of competition and excitement.
3. The 2025 Driver Market
Even before the 2024 season begins, the driver market for 2025 is generating buzz. Many drivers, including Red Bull’s Sergio Perez and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, are in the final year of their contracts. The competition for the Red Bull seat alongside Max Verstappen is particularly fierce, with Perez needing to improve his qualifying performance to secure his spot.
Daniel Ricciardo, eyeing a return to Red Bull, and Yuki Tsunoda, aiming to outshine Ricciardo at AlphaTauri, could shake up the driver lineup. Ferrari’s Fred Vasseur has initiated contract discussions with Leclerc and Sainz, though no extensions have been confirmed yet.
Mercedes and McLaren are expected to remain stable, with Lewis Hamilton and George Russell at Mercedes through 2025, and Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri committed to McLaren until 2026. Logan Sargeant’s performance at Williams will be closely watched, especially with emerging talents like Ferrari-backed Oliver Bearman making strides in the junior categories.
4. Further Grid Convergence
Beyond the battle at the front, the overall performance gap across the grid is narrowing, thanks to the F1 cost cap regulations and the sliding scale of aerodynamic testing rules. These measures, designed to level the playing field, are evident in the closely matched lap times seen in last year’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Red Bull’s dominance remains, but their reduced testing time due to past successes and a cost cap breach, combined with increased opportunities for lower-ranked teams, suggests a more competitive grid in 2024. Experts like James Allison and former Haas team boss Guenther Steiner believe this trend of grid compression will continue, promising closer and more unpredictable racing.
5. Even More F1 Entertainment
Beyond the on-track excitement, there’s plenty to keep fans entertained off the track. The new season of the popular Netflix series Drive To Survive will provide behind-the-scenes insights into last year’s action. An F1 TV subscription offers exclusive shows, highlights, race replays, and live coverage of F1, F2, and F3.
Additionally, the Formula 1 Exhibition, after a successful debut in Madrid, will move to Vienna, offering an immersive F1 experience through six specially designed rooms. F1.com will continue to provide a wide range of content, from news and interviews to podcasts and videos, ensuring fans stay engaged throughout the season.
Stay tuned for an exciting 2024 F1 season!
