F1 2024 driver ratings: Max Verstappen champion but Lewis Hamilton suffers worst year ever
12/09/2024 03:00 AM
With the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix over, Formula 1 is done and dusted for another year and this season will go down as one of the most eventful in history.
Before the racing had even begun, Sir Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari and the Christian Horner scandal rocked the sport, as did Adrian Newey’s stunning move from Red Bull to Aston Martin.
On the track, Max Verstappen claimed a fourth-consecutive drivers’ title, picking up nine wins along the way to hold off the surprise challenge of Lando Norris, but it was McLaren who secured the constructors’ championship – their first for 26 years.
Over the course of 24 races, 24 drivers – including seven race winners, four Brits, three rookies and two first-time victors – got behind the wheel. Who performed best and who needs to go back to F2?
- 10 = Perfection
- 9 = Outstanding
- 8 = Great
- 7 = Good
- 6 = Decent
- 5 = Acceptable
- 4 = Underwhelming
- 3 = Poor
- 2 = Very Poor
- 1 = Back to Formula 2
Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 9
Love or hate his brash nature on and off the track, the Dutchman has cemented legendary status, with his drive from 17th to first in Brazil the best of his career so far.
Built up a huge lead when Red Bull had a dominant car and in truth never looked like yielded it, even after other teams caught up. Will he equal Michael Schumacher’s record of five-in-a-row in 2025?
Lando Norris (McLaren) – 8
Some will say he bottled the title race but it was an almighty task to rein in Verstappen and while McLaren had the quickest car in the second-half of the season, they were hardly dominant.
Lest we forget, Norris only won his first race in Miami before picking up further victories in the Netherlands, Singapore and Abu Dhabi. He made mistakes but will be far better prepared to fight for the championship next year.
Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 8
Three wins, including emotional victories in Monaco and Italy, highlighted a very good season for Leclerc, who very nearly beat Norris to second in the standings.
Improved consistency helped put Ferrari on the edge on the constructors’ crown. The Monegasque certainly has what it takes to be a champion, he just needs the right car and to beat new teammate Hamilton…
Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 8
Hard to believe this was only his second season in F1, the Aussie already looks like a future champion, claiming his first wins in Hungary and Azerbaijan.
Norris wiped the floor with his teammate in qualifying, but things were closer on race days and on his current trajectory, Piastri might end up being McLaren’s best bet.
Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) – 8
Being dumped for Hamilton could have lead to a downturn in performances for Sainz, but instead the Spaniard enjoyed the best year of his career.
Winning in Australia – just weeks after undergoing appendicitis – and Mexico, the Scuderia may yet regret letting go of such a fine racer. Let’s pray his talents aren’t wasted at Williams.
George Russell (Mercedes) – 7
The Mercedes car was painfully slow some races and a rocket ship in others, resulting in Russell only picking up four podiums but two wins in Austria and Las Vegas.
Amid a fiery feud with Verstappen, he’s been tasked with leading Mercedes following Hamilton’s exit. But given he’s now beaten the seven-time champion in two of their three seasons together, he’s well qualified.
Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) – 7
Ended his win-less run in style at Silverstone and claimed victory in Belgium after Russell’s disqualification, but in the grand scheme of things this was the worst year of Hamilton’s career.
Finishing a career-worst seventh in the championship, the Brit spent much of 2024 counting the days until it was over. For his and Ferrari’s sake, let’s hope this was just a blip.
Sergio Perez (Red Bull) – 3
Even the most hardcore of Perez’s fanbase can’t defend his terrible year. No wins, just four podiums and 285 less points than Verstappen, perhaps most embarrassing was his qualifying form, failing to make Q3 eight times and getting knocked out in Q1 at six grand prix.
The Mexican insists the contract extension he signed will be honoured, but it’s no secret Red Bull are furious with their No.2 driver, with his results costing them the constructors’ title.
Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – 6
After a brilliant 2023, Aston Martin regressed badly this season, with Alonso finishing with his worst points tally since he returned to F1. Still, he did the best he could and with Newey now onboard, there’s hope he can win that elusive third championship.
Pierre Gasly (Alpine) – 7
After an awful start, Alpine began to challenge for points again, with Gasly a more consistent point scorer than teammate Esteban Ocon. Ended the season in great form with a miraculous podium in Brazil and a stunning fifth-place in Qatar to finish in the top 10.
Nico Hulkenberg (Haas) – 7
One of the drivers of the season, Hulkenberg delivered consistently brilliant qualifying performances and backed it up on race day, almost always finishing in or just out of the points. His only (potential) mistake? Signing up for Sauber/Audi too early.
Yuki Tsunoda (RB) – 6
His best season in F1 so far, Tsunoda easily won the qualifying battle against teammates Daniel Ricciardo and Liam Lawson but his chances of getting promoted to a Red Bull seat are very slim. A good driver for sure but perhaps not one that will reach the elite level.
Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) – 5
Not a lot Stroll could do with a mediocre car but finishing well behind your teammate again is not a great look. Didn’t score a single point in the second-half of the season.
Esteban Ocon (Alpine) – 6
Crashing into Gasly in Monaco severely dented the Frenchman’s reputation but over the course of the season he matched his teammate pace-wise. A remarkable second-place in Brazil demonstrated what he can do when the stars align.
Kevin Magnussen (Haas) – 5
Put in some decent performances but couldn’t match Hulkenberg’s pace, the Dane’s F1 career has come to an end after a decade. Perhaps unfairly, he became the first driver to get a race-suspension for picking up too many penalty points.
Alex Albon (Williams) – 5
Not a great year for Williams who struggled for points and suffered numerous heavy, expensive crashes, some caused by Albon. With Sainz his new teammate and Franco Colapinto waiting in the wings, 2025 could be a tough year for the Thai driver.
Daniel Ricciardo (RB) – 4
Given the chance to save his career but couldn’t. Largely out-paced by Tsunoda and was axed with six races to go to make way for Liam Lawson. Still very popular but just doesn’t have what it takes anymore.
Oliver Bearman (Ferrari & Haas) – 8
Stood in at the last minute to replace the unwell Sainz in Saudi Arabia, scoring points on his debut, before filling in for Magnussen in Azerbaijan and Brazil. The young Brit has great potential and will drive for Haas full-time next year.
Franco Colapinto (Williams) – 8
Few had heard of the Argentine before he was called-up to replace Logan Sargeant but after some blistering quick drives, he’s now a coveted young racer. No place on the grid for him in 2025, but Red Bull and Alpine are keen on his services so watch this space.
Zhou Guanyu (Sauber) – 5
F1 career appears to be over after three very forgettable – but by no means terrible – seasons. A well-earned eighth-place in Qatar saves the Chinese driver and his team from the indignity of a point-less season.
Liam Lawson (RB) – 6
Lawson crushed Tsunoda in the final few races, leading to Red Bull dumping Perez for the Kiwi… is what many assumed would happen. Decent but not spectacular so far, maybe a full year with the B-team is needed before he can make the jump to the front of the grid.
Valtteri Bottas (Sauber) – 4
After winning multiple championships alongside Hamilton at Mercedes, the Finn’s F1 journey comes to a sad end. The only full-time driver not to score points this season, though his terrible car shares most of the blame.
Logan Sargeant (Williams) – 1
Was already heading out the door when Williams axed the American mid-season. He cost them millions in crash damage and scored just one point in 36 races. Enough said.
Jack Doohan (Alpine) – 5
Made his debut in Abu Dhabi after Ocon agreed to leave Alpine early. Finished 15th and will be back full-time in 2025.
