Team bosses unanimously vote Verstappen best F1 driver of 2024
F1 NewsSaturday, 21 December 2024 at 16:29
Max Verstappen has been crowned Formula 1’s Driver of the Year for 2024 in a poll conducted among the sport’s team principals who agreed unanimously that the Red Bull ace is simply the best, securing the telling accolade for the fourth consecutive season.
Verstappen achieved this feat after clinching his fourth Formula 1 driver's championship after dominating early on but was forced to fight shrewdly to win the title. This after Red Bull lost the upper hand in the pecking order, which they enjoyed a year earlier. The extra challenges thrust upon him last season only brought out the best in the Dutchman.
Formula 1’s team bosses were asked to submit their top 10 drivers of the season, with their individual rankings kept confidential. Using the current F1 points system, drivers earned 25 points for first place, down to one point for tenth. The scores were combined to produce a final ranking.
Norris and Leclerc complete the podium
For the first time in the seven-year history of the poll, a driver received a perfect score. Verstappen’s unparalleled performance saw all 10 team principals unanimously place him at the top of their lists.
McLaren’s Lando Norris secured second place in the ranking, moving up one spot from last year. Norris, who finished as the runner-up in the drivers’ championship, trailed Verstappen by 72 points. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc rounded out the top three, maintaining his strong standing in the rankings.
Oscar Piastri, who partnered Norris to deliver McLaren’s first F1 constructors’ championship since 1998, climbed three places to finish fourth. Carlos Sainz, in his final year with Ferrari before a move to Williams, rose one position to fifth.
Russell and Hamilton diverge in rankings
Mercedes’ George Russell jumped three places to claim sixth in the poll. His teammate Lewis Hamilton, however, dropped two spots to finish seventh, marking a challenging year for the seven-time world champion.
Nico Hülkenberg made a notable debut in the rankings, securing eighth after an impressive campaign with Haas that saw him receive votes from nine of the 10 team principals. Meanwhile, Fernando Alonso endured the biggest drop, falling seven places to ninth after a tough season with Aston Martin.
Alpine’s Pierre Gasly rounded out the top 10, earning recognition for his late-season form, which included a podium finish and consistent points-scoring performances.
The team principals participating in this year’s poll were: Alessandro Alunni Bravi (Alfa Romeo), Christian Horner (Red Bull Racing), Ayao Komatsu (Haas), Mike Krack (Aston Martin), Laurent Mekies (AlphaTauri), Oli Oakes (Williams), Andrea Stella (McLaren), Fred Vasseur (Ferrari), James Vowles (Alpine) and Toto Wolff (Mercedes).
Verstappen’s historic achievement underscores his dominance in the sport, while the rankings highlight standout performances and key movers across the grid during an action-packed 2024 season.
2024 Drivers Scorecard by Formula 1 Team Principals conducted by F1.com
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