As the 2024 Formula 1 season enters its home stretch, the battle for the two coveted titles—the Drivers’ Championship and the Constructors’ Championship—intensifies, with McLaren and Red Bull going head-to-head. Max Verstappen remains in the lead for the Drivers’ Championship, but McLaren’s Lando Norris has launched a serious offensive. However, with just six races remaining, it could be too little, too late for Norris.
McLaren is currently on a roll, leading the Constructors’ Championship for the first time in years, thanks to the work of team principal Andrea Stella and CEO Zak Brown. The team’s package is working well for both drivers, Norris and Oscar Piastri, making McLaren the team to beat as the season comes to an exciting conclusion.
For Red Bull, the Constructors’ Championship seems out of reach, mainly due to the underperformance of Sergio Perez. While Verstappen has accumulated almost 200 more points than his teammate, Red Bull’s reliance on a single driver has hampered their campaign. On the other hand, the McLaren duo are operating at full capacity, which is why many believe the Constructors’ Championship is theirs to lose.
On the Drivers’ side, although Norris has reduced the gap, Verstappen remains the favorite to win his fourth consecutive title. Upcoming races, especially those with sprint formats, offer valuable points. However, Verstappen only needs to finish behind Norris to lock up the title, barring a major upset.
McLaren’s internal dynamics are also something to watch. With Norris and Piastri performing well, questions arise about how they will work together in the final races. Will Piastri support Norris’ title bid, or will he look to make his own statement?
Meanwhile, Perez’s future at Red Bull is in question. His disappointing performances this season mean these final six races are crucial for his career. If Perez can recover and finish strong—especially with the spotlight on him at his home race in Mexico—he could still secure his place at Red Bull for 2025.
Beyond the title contenders, Ferrari and Mercedes are also in the race. Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc will look to capitalize on the leading teams’ mistakes, while Mercedes bid farewell to Lewis Hamilton, who joins Ferrari next year. Hamilton’s departure marks the end of an era at Mercedes, and the team is expected to revolve around George Russell and new arrival Kimi Antonelli for the future.
Aston Martin remains a wild card, with Fernando Alonso continuing to deliver exceptional performance despite the car’s limitations. The team is looking towards 2025, when Adrian Newey will officially join, although his influence will not be felt until then.
Further down the rankings, Williams impressed with rookie sensation Franco Colapinto, who has attracted attention since his promotion. With Sainz joining the team next season, Williams has high hopes for a strong 2025 campaign.
As the season approaches its thrilling finale in Abu Dhabi, all eyes will be on the remaining races at iconic venues like Austin, Mexico City and Interlagos. With several storylines underway, from Verstappen’s bid for a fourth title to McLaren’s comeback, the 2024 season promises an unforgettable ending.
