► All the F1 drivers and teams
► The date for each car reveal
► How they’ll fare in 2024
The start of the 2024 F1 season is just weeks away, but the news is already being dominated by Lewis Hamilton’s move Ferrari in 2025.
The shock switch will see the seven-times-world champion partner the fast-charging Charles Leclerc in 2025 on a multi-year deal, but between now and then there’s still the small matter of the 2024 season to do – but it’ll have a very different feel for F1’s top teams and drivers as a result.
This year, Red Bull almost certainly be the team to beat, but behind them everything is very much up for grabs. McLaren finished 2023 with arguably the second fastest car, but you’d expect Mercedes and Ferrari to start strong and be there or thereabouts – especially as both teams have new design concepts for 2024. Aston Martin will be another factor; the team started last year well but faltered towards the end of the season, and this year will want to maintain a strong level of competitiveness throughout the year.
Here’s when we’ll see the new cars, along with what to expect from each team:
RED BULL RACING – 15th February
- Max Verstappen
- Sergio Perez
Won 21 of 22 races last year, with Verstappen bagging 19 victories to take his third consecutive world championship. The only weak point is Perez’s contribution, which must improve.
MERCEDES-AMG – 14th February
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
Finished second last year despite a capricious car, leading to fundamental design changes. The outfit has the drivers and pedigree, but it may be too early to challenge Red Bull consistently.
SCUDERIA FERRARI – 13th February
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
Seven pole positions last year but only one win showed Ferrari’s race-pace weakness. If the major shift of car concept pays off and consistency improves it will more regularly threaten Red Bull.
McLAREN RACING – 14th February
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
Leapt from backmarker to podium regular during 2023, leading to confidence that big development gains have been made. That and an exciting driver line-up could see McLaren threatening for wins.
ASTON MARTIN – 12th February
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
Faded badly after a strong start in 2023, so it’s a coin-toss whether it’s at the front of the midfield this year. Will be dependent on the evergreen Alonso. Read more about the new car here.
ALPINE – 7th February
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
Perennial underachievers were mired firmly in the midfield last year, despite lofty aspirations. Expect more of the same in 2024, but with the occasional big result for these mercurial drivers. Read more about the new car here.
WILLIAMS RACING – 5th February
- Alex Albon
- Logan Sargeant
Finished seventh in the championship thanks to Alex Albon’s remarkable performances, but F1’s sleeping giant still needs more time – and money spent – to awaken, so expect more of the same for the foreseeable.
RACING BULLS – 8th February
- Yuki Tsunoda
- Daniel Ricciardo
Rallied late last year to become a top-10 regular and now forging closer ties with Red Bull Racing. Ricciardo will get the attention, but the temperamental Tsunoda was quicker last year.
STAKE/SAUBER – 5th February
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
Sauber-owned, the name change from Alfa Romeo to Stake will tide the team over until it becomes Audi in 2026. Anything better than another mostly anonymous season would be a surprise.
HAAS – 2nd February
- Nico Hulkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
Fast over a lap but slow over a race stint meant a dismal 2023 that led to the departure of charismatic team boss Guenther Steiner – where will those Netflix producers go for their colour now? Expect more disappointment in 2024, sadly.