There is always enough of drama, excitement, and shocks in the Formula 1 scene. Fans are exposed to amazing on-track action, brilliant strategy, and the constantly shifting dynamics of drivers and teams throughout every season. I'll give you a quick rundown of this season's high points and memorable incidents in this post, along with my thoughts on the performances of the drivers and teams. But that's not all—I'll discuss my predictions and speculations for the next season, delving into potential changes and obstacles that might influence the grid. Last but not least, I'll share my thoughts on the Formula 1 season, along with my dream team setup. This article offers opinions and insights to stoke your passion for Formula One, regardless of whether you're a casual observer or a devoted enthusiast.
As the 2024 Formula 1 season draws to an end, Max Verstappen continues to be the buzz of the town. He continues to show that he is an outstanding driver even with a car that is not operating at its best. Verstappen's remarkable race in Brazil from last place to first has once again demonstrated that Red Bull's success this season is mostly attributable to his own driving skills rather than just technology. This season, Verstappen has joined an illustrious list of Formula 1 greats, including Niki Lauda. Yet his dominance does not come without criticism. The British press often claims that his victories are due to luck rather than talent.
The competition is nevertheless interesting. This season, McLaren is a strong rival thanks to their significantly upgraded car. Despite his best efforts to keep up with Verstappen, Lando Norris is upset by his lack of wins. After a good start, a mid-year slump, and now a comeback, Ferrari's season has been unpredictable. Alpine is making a strong final sprint, while Mercedes is stranded in the middle of the pack. Internal conflicts between Lance Stroll, whose father is also the team manager, and Fernando Alonso appear to be hurting the squad at Aston Martin.
Expectations are high as the season draws to a close. Verstappen won for the fourth time, but who can catch him off guard in the new season?
For the newbies to Formula 1, here is some general knowledge you need to know: Formula 1 (or F1) is the highest level of car racing in the world. With two drivers on each of the ten F1 teams, there are twenty drivers competing in each event. The races held are named Grands Prix, and are in various countries around the world, mostly on racing tracks but sometimes on street tracks, such as Monaco. The goal of the drivers is to place first at the end of the race, but they also gain points the higher they place. What is so exciting about watching F1? The speed, the tactics, and the drama that comes with it.
What will the new season bring? There will be a few changes in teams and drivers.
One of the biggest speculations concerns Lewis Hamilton, who will switch to Ferrari. Some say he will probably spend his last years here. At the same time, Max Verstappen’s future remains uncertain. Rumour has it that he will retire after 2025, despite his recent great stats, which include more than 900 points in a single season. Max is said to have had enough of the constant pressure and criticism from the press. Especially from the British press, after he won the Brazilian Grand Prix putting Lando Norris in second place, he joked:
"I have a quick question here I mean I appreciate all of you being here but I don't see any British press- they had to run to the airport or they don't know where the press conference is?"
Max has stated that racing should remain fun, and the current climate of penalty points and stricter rules seems to be hampering this enjoyment.
At Red Bull, there is also the question of whether Sergio Pérez will stay. In the past three years, he has scored significantly fewer points than Verstappen, and his performances in qualifying continue to disappoint. Red Bull might turn to up-and-coming talent like Liam Lawson or Yuki Tsunoda to cover the gap. Meanwhile, there is speculation about Pérez moving to the sister team Visa Cash App RB (former AlphaTauri).
Other teams are also facing changes. In anticipation of Audi's entry in 2026, Carlos Sainz is supposedly moving to Williams for a transitional year. After that, Audi will assemble a new squad, with Sainz probably playing a major role.
Bearman, a promising rookie, is starting his second season at Haas, while Liam Lawson seems to be the front-runner to take an open seat at Visa Cash App. Despite his frequent mistakes and the expenses, he has spent for the team at Williams, Colapinto is already committed to Alpine for the upcoming season.
Furthermore, a number of new regulations that will be implemented in 2025 are already sparking discussion. Many drivers are complaining about the vague regulations, especially with regard to penalty points and the safety car's speed limit. For example, Charles LeClerc got a penalty for swearing in the car, and Lewis Hamilton protested against the new rule of not wearing any jewellery, by showing up with a lot of jewellery. Restart-related incidents have resulted in dangerous conditions in the past, and drivers are calling for these rules to be revised to make racing more fun and safer.
Lastly, it's likely that a familiar face is quitting the sport. It appears that Valtteri Bottas has lost his 2025 seat and is thinking about moving to Mercedes as a reserve. He desires to dedicate more time to his hobbies, which include triathlons. Despite his departure, Bottas maintains his composure and is prepared for a new stage of his life.
My view on the new F1-season:
- With all the changes and speculation, I am really looking forward to the 2025 Formula 1 season. If it were up to me, I would like to see Oscar Piastri or Liam Lawson alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull. Both drivers have proven to be strong and promising talents, and I think it would be exciting to see how they would do in a top team. If Verstappen were to retire after 2025, I would find that very unfortunate, but I understand his statement about racing being fun.
- What I do find sad is that Valtteri Bottas seems to be leaving the sport. To me, he is a true legend. He holds the F1 record for the most career points without a World Championship. His consistent performances and down-to-earth attitude have always impressed me. Somewhere I had hoped that someone would uphold the honour of the Finnish drivers.
- As for Lando Norris: I am a bit done with him. He just can't handle setbacks well, and that is really starting to show. It would be nice if he learns to manage his emotions better in the new season and behaves a bit more maturely. Maybe a good winter break will give him some more balance, so he can fully exploit his potential.
While this season is not even over yet, I can already feel the excitement for what is to come. Fans can look forward to new rivalries, talents that want to prove themselves and teams that have to reposition themselves. One thing is for sure: Formula 1 is always moving. Last but not least, I have put together my ideal teams for the 2025 season and I am curious about your opinion on it. Let me know and share your dream teams and thoughts on the Instagram of the BuasHub! Or participate in the discussion I started on the Uni-Life app!
Image 1: by Freepik
