Max Verstappen‘s path to his fourth F1 title in 2024 wasn’t the smooth sailing we saw in 2023. The champion had to fight harder than ever, especially after things heated up at the Miami Grand Prix.
McLaren and Ferrari kept him honest all year, with Mercedes jumping in to grab a few wins too.
It was quite a shift from Verstappen’s previous dominance – he actually won fewer races in 2024 than he did in 2023. Pretty remarkable when you think about it.
Seven different drivers stood on the top step of the podium last season. Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc emerged as Verstappen’s main rivals, while Oscar Piastri, Carlos Sainz, George Russell, and Lewis Hamilton all managed to snag victories of their own.
McLaren’s surge was so strong they captured the constructors’ title, proving Red Bull wasn’t invincible after all.
Looking ahead to 2025, Christian Horner, Red Bull’s team principal, sees McLaren as the biggest threat. "I would say McLaren drivers," he told TalkSport when asked about who could challenge Verstappen next season.
The 2025 season is especially interesting because it’s the last year under current regulations. Teams can really go all out with development, using everything they’ve learned over the past few years for one final push.
The way 2024 ended – with such close competition – suggests we’re in for an intense battle right from the first race of 2025.
Horner wouldn’t be surprised to see McLaren come back even stronger. After their 2024 performance, who would?
