The 2024 Formula 1 season is nearing its end, but don’t put away the popcorn just yet! With two Grands Prix remaining – in Qatar and Abu Dhabi – there’s still plenty at stake, and the battles on track promise to be explosive.
While Verstappen has already secured the F1 Drivers’ Championship, there are still many storylines demanding our attention.
Read more:
- Red Bull spirals into anxiety as their dominance ends despite the drivers’ title, but their technical director sees a huge opportunity in it…
- Disaster averted thanks to modifications on F1’s most dangerous circuit, just in time for the hottest GP of the year in Qatar!
The Constructors’ Championship still in play
The tension is at its peak between McLaren and Ferrari in the fight for the Constructors’ title. With 608 points for the papaya team and 584 for the Scuderia, the gap is narrow and could be closed as early as the Qatar GP. Ferrari shone in Las Vegas, cutting the deficit to 24 points, but Qatar and Abu Dhabi may favor McLaren. Both circuits, known for their high-speed layouts, suit the MCL60 well, while inconsistent performances from Leclerc and Sainz could complicate Ferrari’s ambitions. But don’t count Red Bull Racing out just yet, even if only one of their drivers consistently scores big points. With more than 50 points separating them from McLaren, a comeback seems unlikely but not mathematically impossible. Helmut Marko remains realistic, saying, “The Constructors’ title? Out of reach. Sergio should have been closer to Norris and Piastri this season.” A statement that underscores the mounting pressure on Pérez.
Lights on at Lusail 💡 The #QatarGP is here#F1 pic.twitter.com/MvA2ZDW7v3
— Scuderia Ferrari HP (@ScuderiaFerrari) November 25, 2024
Who will finish second in the 2024 F1 Drivers’ Championship?
While Verstappen rules supreme, the battle for second place in the Drivers’ standings is still wide open. Lando Norris is currently in a strong position with 340 points, but Charles Leclerc, in excellent form, is just 21 points behind. Leclerc has shown ferocious aggression in recent races, even publicly criticizing his teammate Carlos Sainz. For Norris, the challenge will be tough: Leclerc excels in Abu Dhabi, and Piastri, who performed well at Losail last year, could steal crucial points. McLaren may need to enforce the “Papayas Rules” to favor their British driver. Further back, Hamilton could be facing a historically tough season. With just two races left to close the gap to Russell, the seven-time champion could end up finishing outside the top six for the first time since 2022. His win at Silverstone remains one of the few highlights in an otherwise chaotic final year at Mercedes.
A glimmer of hope for backmarkers?
Stake F1 (formerly Alfa Romeo) has yet to score a single point in 2024, a disastrous and historic low for a team in transition ahead of Audi’s arrival. However, Zhou Guanyu showed encouraging signs in Las Vegas, overtaking Colapinto in the final lap. Qatar, where the former Alfa team scored points in 2023, might offer a last chance to shine. Meanwhile, Alpine F1 Team, Haas, and Visa Cash App RB are locked in a fierce battle for sixth in the Constructors’ standings. Alpine’s strategic blunders in Las Vegas, including a botched pitstop for Esteban Ocon, could cost them dearly against Haas and VCARB Racing Bulls (I still don’t know what to call this team), who are always ready to pounce.
This article explores the thrilling stakes of the final stretch of the 2024 F1 season, from the heated Constructors’ battle to individual driver rivalries. So, are you ready for the final emotions before closing the chapter on this unforgettable season? Tune in this weekend for the Qatar Grand Prix!
Image: Scuderia Ferrari media gallery
