The end of the 2024 season
Image found on F1.com
That was it. The final race of the season. I honestly can’t believe this season is over and how crazy it has been.
I’ve actually been rewatching some highlights today. It’s so strange, because these races feel so long ago, but once I start watching, I remember so much about them. This was honestly also one of the most insane seasons I have ever seen.
The season started with Max Verstappen winning quite a lot of races. So, like many, I assumed this would be an easy title for him. He was going to be champion again, because Red Bull had again created an incredibly fast car. However, it all went a little different.
Suddenly, Red Bull wasn’t fast anymore, and it was quite difficult to say who was. McLaren was probably fastest overall, because they were able to perform on every single track. However, Ferrari and Mercedes had some tracks on which they were insanely fast. No one could keep up with them one weekend, and then the next they were nowhere to be seen.
I also felt quite confused about who to support this season. I’ve loved Lando Norris for so long, but I think he can really tear himself down when things don’t go his way. It’s understandable, but I hink his negative attitude made me distance myself from him. Then there was Max Verstappen, who was honestly on another level this season. His dominance last year was extremely impressive, but seeing him fight for the championship was so nice. He just reaches another level when he has to, it’s so impressive.
What this season has shown is that no one’s seat is safe. Well, perhaps for Pérez’s, I guess. But other than him, people just got dropped whenever a team wanted to. While I do miss Daniel Ricciardo, I think getting Liam Lawson in the RB was the best choice. I feel the same about the situation at Williams. Logan Sargeant was rushed into Formula 1 and has never really been able to handle the pressure, so getting Franco Colapinto was a smart move. I do feel bad for Esteban Ocon. Why would you kick him out with just one race to go? Especially with what he has done for the team, it felt very disrespectful.
Pérez still having his seat is insane to me. While I understand that the Red Bull was quite a bad car, I think he should have been able to get more out of it. Not getting the same results as Verstappen is understandable, but he often didn’t even make Q2 and was outqualified by VCARBs. That is just embarrassing.
For next year, I hope Yuk Tsunoda gets the chance in the Red Bull. I think he has the speed and experience needed to perform well. Will he be able to handle the pressure? There is only one way to find out. I think it’s worth the risk, especially because it can’t get any worse than Pérez.
Other than that, I think next year is going to be an insane season. Drivers going to different teams and rookies getting a chance in F1, it’s amazing to see. I cannot predict who will and will not be fast. Developing the car will be more important than ever and drivers will need to perform race after race to win the championship. It’s going to be an exciting season.
