Verstappen’s Reign Under Threat as F1 Prepares for a Competitive 2025 Season
As the 2024 Formula One season comes to a close, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen stands poised to enter the next year having led the championship standings for more than 1,000 days.
However, the winds of change are blowing, and his dominance is under significant threat. This season has been one of the most competitive in recent memory, featuring seven different drivers who each clinched at least two victories in a record 24-race calendar.
Verstappen, the reigning quadruple world champion, secured nine wins this year—a stark contrast to his record-breaking 19 victories in 2023. The season began predictably, with Verstappen winning seven of the first ten races.
Yet, it soon turned into a nail-biting contest as he faced a surprising drought of ten consecutive races without a win. Following his historic streak of ten wins in a row last season, no driver managed to achieve more than two consecutive victories this year.
The emergence of McLaren has been a game-changer, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri each capturing their first Grand Prix victories in Miami and Hungary, respectively. Their impressive performances helped McLaren secure its first Constructors’ Championship in 26 years, signaling a formidable shift in the competitive landscape.
Norris, buoyed by his success, is eyeing the Drivers’ Championship for the upcoming season. “Next year is going to be my year too,” he declared following his victory from pole position in the season finale in Abu Dhabi. With four wins under his belt, he expressed optimism about the future, acknowledging the lessons learned from his rivals, including Verstappen.
In a year filled with significant driver changes, the most notable was Lewis Hamilton’s high-profile move to Ferrari, announced in February. The seven-time champion aims to reignite his quest for an eighth title, a feat that has eluded him since a controversial loss to Verstappen in 2021. At the age of 40,
Hamilton joins Ferrari as a replacement for Carlos Sainz, hoping to end the Scuderia’s 16-year title drought. Despite experiencing what he deemed his worst season, Hamilton still managed to secure wins at Silverstone and Spa, finishing seventh overall—his lowest ranking in 18 years.
Meanwhile, Ferrari narrowly missed out on its first Constructors’ title since 2008, falling short by just 14 points. Hamilton’s experience will be invaluable as he teams up with Charles Leclerc, who has already proven his mettle by winning in Monaco and Monza this season. This partnership brings renewed hope to Ferrari fans eager for a return to glory.
Mercedes, now facing a reshuffle, will welcome 18-year-old Italian prodigy Kimi Antonelli alongside George Russell, who has been vocal about his ambitions. Russell’s win in Austria came after a dramatic collision between Verstappen and Norris, further intensifying the narrative of rivalry within the paddock. He has also taken on a leadership role, representing his fellow drivers in discussions with FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem regarding conduct regulations.
As the season wraps up, Red Bull faces its own challenges, including the departure of design genius Adrian Newey, who has signed with Aston Martin. The team will also see a wave of new talent entering the grid, with veteran drivers like Daniel Ricciardo, Valtteri Bottas, and Kevin Magnussen stepping aside for fresh faces like Liam Lawson, Gabriel Bortoleto, and Oliver Bearman.
