The final chapter of 2024: what to expect from the last three F1 races this year

After Red Bull’s dominance of the sport in 2023, few would have believed that with just three races to go in 2024 we would still have both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships alive, as evidenced by seven different race winners across four teams. , and have seen some of the most exciting, heartwarming and disturbing moments in Formula 1 history.

It’s great to see the sport we love having such a brilliant season of racing action. It’s not over yet, though, and with three races left in the 2024 Formula 1 season, including plenty of loose ends, here’s what to look out for as we head to Las Vegas to kick off the final triple header.

Max Verstappen versus Lando Norris – who will take the championship?

While Max Verstappen once again dominated the 2024 season, just as he did in 2023, things started to change for the Red Bull team somewhere around Miami, as other challengers closed in. McLaren has been at the forefront of that challenge for most of the year. , with their fast MCL38, driven by Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, regularly taking race wins and podium finishes.

With three Grand Prix victories and quite a few podium finishes this year, Lando Norris has stayed in contention with Max Verstappen all the way. He is now the only driver who can mathematically beat the Dutch champion, but it will be quite a task after the Sao Paulo GP.

After winning the sprint race last time out with some help from his McLaren teammate Piastri, Norris had managed to close the gap to just 44 points, putting him straight into contention for motorsport’s highest trophy. A dominant performance from Max Sunday’s Grand Prix and a poor result for McLaren has since brought the gap back to 62 points.

With only 86 points left to score in the Drivers’ Championship, it is not impossible for Norris to win, but Max certainly has a much better chance. In fact, he could win the trophy in Vegas next weekend if the British driver fails to significantly surpass him. Max is looking for a win in Sin City to cement his place as four-time world champion, while it is up to Lando Norris (and a McLaren car that has performed well on street circuits) to fight at the front to retain this championship. alive.

If things continue like this, we could be looking at an exciting 2021-style final showdown in Abu Dhabi to determine the champion. Either way, it will be exciting to see how the battle for Lando’s shot at a World Championship plays out next weekend in Vegas.

McLaren versus Ferrari versus Red Bull Racing – the battle in the Constructors’ Championship continues

A championship that is more likely to progress to the final race in Abu Dhabi is that of the constructors. With 147 points still available between the teams in the final three races of the year, and only 49 points between them, there is a chance that one of the teams McLaren, Ferrari or Red Bull Racing can win.

It looks likely to be McLaren or Ferrari based on the teams’ performances over the last ten races, but if Red Bull can get a decent performance from both drivers in Vegas like they did last year, then they can do it again be in battle.

As for current leader McLaren, even if they manage to score maximum points in the next race and Ferrari fail to take any home, they still won’t have enough of a lead to win the championship .

It will be an exciting battle between all three teams as they aim to take top spot in the standings in the final series of races.

Will the last vacant seat of 2025 be decided?

Following Kick Sauber’s announcement last week that they would sign Brazilian driver Gabriel Bortoleto for the 2025 Formula 1 season, only one seat now remains to be decided for next year: currently occupied by Liam Lawson.

On the face of it, it looks like the New Zealand driver is the most likely candidate, but there could be more turmoil on the way for the Red Bull camp, with speculation that they could sign Sergio Perez before the end of his want to drop the contract. The Mexican driver’s 2024 performance is well behind that of his teammate Max Verstappen, and with two enthusiastic young racers in their junior team, there could be an opportunity for Lawson to progress, leaving his seat open for another.

We’ll keep an eye on this last seat as we enter these final races. Will RB spill the tea on who will be racing for them next year before the final checkered flag, or will we have to wait a little longer?

Final races for four drivers

Four drivers currently on the grid have no seats for next year, which means the end for these racers (for now). Kevin Magnussen, with 182 starts and a career that started in 2014, will not continue at Haas next year and appears to be on the verge of leaving the sport. Valtteri Bottas, who has 243 starts, 10 wins and first started in 2013, is also out of contract for next year, along with teammate Zhou Guanyu.

Williams stand-in Franco Colapinto has impressed in his first six F1 races, and although his contract expires next year, there is little doubt that the Argentine driver will be back racing in F1 in the near future.

These drivers will try to make their mark as they leave their teams and possibly the sport for good. Don’t miss the chance to see them on the track for the last time.

Lewis’ last races with Mercedes

Lewis Hamilton’s racing story with Mercedes will conclude next month during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The driver has been racing for the team from Brackley since 2013 and has been critical of the team’s performance since the 2022 rule changes. Earlier this year he announced that he would be leaving the team join Ferrari in a move that shocked the sport.

It’s an exciting step in his career, but it will also be bittersweet when his long association with the Silver Arrows comes to an end.

As the 2024 season draws to a close, all eyes are starting to shift to next year as we get ready to celebrate 75 years of the Formula 1 World Championship.

Don’t miss your chance to be on the circuit where the first round took place in July. Tickets for the 2025 Formula 1 Grand Prix of Great Britain are available now on sale!