The thrilling 2024 Formula 1 season resumes with the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort, where Max Verstappen and Red Bull aim to maintain their lead in the championship. Following a summer break, Sky Sports F1 has compiled all the essential information ahead of the season’s final ten races.
After nearly four weeks since Lewis Hamilton’s win in Spa, the drivers will return to Zandvoort this Friday, gearing up for Sunday’s race at 2 PM. World champion leader Verstappen seeks his fourth consecutive title as Red Bull’s dominance faces challenges. Meanwhile, McLaren and Mercedes are putting pressure on Red Bull in the Constructors’ Championship standings. With Hamilton nearing the end of his illustrious career with Mercedes before joining Ferrari, emotional moments are assured at the team. Additionally, the lineup for the 2025 season, particularly Hamilton’s replacement at Mercedes, remains undecided.
Current Season Highlights
Verstappen kickstarted his campaign in remarkable form, winning four out of the first five races, only missing a potential victory in Australia due to reliability issues. Carlos Sainz capitalized on this in Australia, winning after returning from surgery. Ferrari initially positioned themselves as Red Bull’s primary challengers, but McLaren soon made significant strides, recovering from a slow start thanks to upgrades introduced for the fifth race in China.
Lando Norris shone with a second-place finish in Shanghai and achieved his first F1 win in Miami, propelling McLaren into contention. Leclerc managed to break his “Monaco curse” with a win but faced difficulties for consistent podium finishes afterward. Verstappen asserted his dominance with additional wins in Canada and Spain but collided with Norris in Austria, inadvertently assisting George Russell in securing Mercedes’ first win of the season.
Recent races showcased Hamilton breaking a 56-race winless streak at Silverstone and Oscar Piastri earning his maiden Grand Prix victory in Hungary despite team orders drama. However, Russell’s race win was marred by disqualification issues.
Can Verstappen Maintain His Lead?
Verstappen holds a substantial 78-point lead over Norris in the drivers’ standings, with Leclerc 100 points back and Piastri trailing by 10 points. Although Norris has shown great potential, Verstappen’s lead could have been smaller had he not benefitted from Norris’s missed opportunities.
Here are the current Drivers’ Championship standings (Top Eight):
- Max Verstappen – 277
- Lando Norris – 199
- Charles Leclerc – 177
- Oscar Piastri – 167
- Carlos Sainz – 162
- Lewis Hamilton – 150
- Sergio Perez – 131
- George Russell – 116
For Norris to contend for the championship, Verstappen would need multiple retirements, as McLaren continues its pursuit in the Constructors’ Championship.
A Tight Constructors’ Championship
Red Bull leads the Constructors’ Championship by 42 points over McLaren, but momentum is shifting in McLaren’s favor. After a 99-point deficit earlier in the season, a drop in form from Perez has turned the battle into a two-against-one scenario.
Constructors’ Championship standings:
- Red Bull – 408
- McLaren – 366
- Ferrari – 345
- Mercedes – 266
- Aston Martin – 73
- RB – 34
- Haas – 27
- Alpine – 11
- Williams – 4
- Sauber – 0
Ferrari still shows a theoretical chance, but recent performance indicates they should be wary of being overtaken by Mercedes, who aim to close in on future competitors.
Remaining Race Schedule
The season will feature ten races, including three Sprint weekends, with Zandvoort kicking off the next phase. The schedule includes successive races in Italy, Azerbaijan, Singapore, and multiple events in the Americas, culminating in Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi.
Unfilled Seats for 2025
Following Sainz’s move to Williams, only four seats remain for 2025, including ones at Mercedes and Red Bull. The Mercedes seat is highly coveted, with indications pointing toward Italian talent Andrea ‘Kimi’ Antonelli.
Alpine is likely to appoint Jack Doohan as the second driver, while uncertainty looms over Perez’s future at Red Bull, leading to speculation around potential replacements.
Management Changes
Sauber and Alpine have made significant management changes that may influence their driver selections, with former Ferrari principal Mattia Binotto assuming dual roles at Sauber. Alpine has also hired Oliver Oakes amid ongoing tensions in the Red Bull camp, raising questions about team dynamics and future directions.
With the Dutch GP on the horizon, excitement continues to build as the 2024 F1 season picks back up.
Credit: Sky Sports
