JANUARY 8, 2025
Top drivers of 2024 - #1
Max Verstappen, first
© Red Bull
Verstappen's early domination secured him the title, as from the middle of the spring until the final four races of the year it was McLaren that had the faster car. Brilliant when he had, by far, the fastest car of the field, coped well with bringing home as many points as possible when that was no longer the case, including winning in Imola and Montreal with the second quickest car in the field. Eventually started to crack under pressure and resorted to unsportsmanlike driving on a few occasions – Budapest, Austin and Mexico spring to mind – before driving brilliantly in Brazil and also in Qatar, winning both races without having the fastest car. Only in Abu Dhabi the Dutch had a poor overall performance, compounded by a silly mistake in the first corner, but, overall, was the most complete driver of the season.