F1 Season Finale: Rivalries heat up as millions hang in the balance – The 2024 Formula One season is drawing to a close, but with two rounds to go, the sport’s high-stakes drama is far from over. While Max Verstappen has already clinched his third consecutive Drivers’ Championship, the battles for team glory, career survival and future momentum remain fierce.
The Constructors’ Championship hangs in the balance, storied careers enter their final chapters and rising stars look to make their mark. As the teams prepare for the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix, the end of the season promises to be as exciting as the beginning.
McLaren and Ferrari battle for constructors’ supremacy
The Constructors’ Championship remains the sport’s ultimate prize for teams, offering not only prestige but also a significant financial windfall. McLaren and Ferrari, two of the most iconic names in F1, are locked in a fierce battle for the crown. McLaren leads Ferrari by 24 points, but that lead has been steadily shrinking, with Ferrari outperforming McLaren throughout the American leg of the season.
In the last four races, Ferrari has outscored McLaren by an average of more than 12 points per weekend. If this trend continues, Ferrari could win the championship by the narrowest of margins. For McLaren, the challenge is clear: they must exploit the strengths of their car in Qatar to build a cushion heading into the final race in Abu Dhabi.
A tale of two tracks
The upcoming race in Qatar at the Lusail International Circuit is expected to favour McLaren. The medium and high speed corners should play to their car’s strengths, a fact underlined by their strong performance at the circuit last year when Oscar Piastri won the sprint race and the team secured a double podium in the main event.
However, Ferrari have shown resilience throughout the season. If they can minimise their losses in Qatar, the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi – where Ferrari’s car characteristics could shine – could provide an explosive finale.
For McLaren, victory in Qatar isn’t just about points – it’s about psychological momentum heading into the final race of the year.
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The Red Bull factor
Red Bull Racing are 53 points behind McLaren in the constructors’ championship, despite their driver title success with Verstappen. Their chances of retaining the team title are slim.
While Verstappen’s exceptional performances have masked the team’s shortcomings, Red Bull’s car has struggled to match the pace of McLaren and Ferrari since the mid-season break.
Should Red Bull finish third in the standings, they will make unwelcome history as the first team in over 40 years to produce a Drivers’ World Champion while finishing outside the top two in the Constructors’ Championship.
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Hamilton’s final Mercedes chapter
For Lewis Hamilton, the final races of 2024 are about more than points – they are about legacy. The seven-time world champion is in the twilight of his historic partnership with Mercedes, a team with which he dominated the sport for much of the last decade. However, his performances since the summer break have been uneven and his struggles were on full display in Las Vegas.
Starting 10th after a disappointing qualifying session, Hamilton produced a masterful drive to finish second behind team-mate George Russell. But the result highlighted his recent inconsistency; had he qualified better, victory could have been within his grasp.
For Hamilton, the challenge now is to regain his status as the team’s leading driver and end his Mercedes tenure on a high.
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One last chance for glory
Both Qatar and Abu Dhabi offer Hamilton the chance to shine. He has a strong record at both circuits, including victory in the inaugural Qatar Grand Prix. Mercedes believe the Lusail track could play to the strengths of their car, giving Hamilton his best chance of a final victory with the team.
However, the unpredictable nature of this season and the capricious nature of the Mercedes car make any prediction difficult.
Hamilton’s departure from Mercedes also comes amid speculation about his future. Team principal Toto Wolff’s recent comments about Hamilton’s “shelf life” have fuelled rumours of a generational change at the team.
Victory in the final races would not only confirm Hamilton’s place among the sport’s greats, but also serve as a fitting end to one of F1’s most iconic partnerships.
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Pérez’s career on the line: Deadline pressure at Red Bull
Sergio Pérez is facing one of the most important moments of his career. Despite being contracted until 2025, the Mexican’s future with Red Bull Racing is far from certain.
A season of underwhelming performances has left Pérez vulnerable, with team advisor Helmut Marko publicly stating that a decision on his future will be made after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Pérez’s struggles have been stark. He has scored just two points in the last three races, and has only qualified in the top ten once in the last five rounds.
His recent performances have left him behind midfield drivers such as Nico Hulkenberg and Pierre Gasly in terms of points, raising questions about his ability to compete at the highest level.
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Fighting for redemption
Despite his poor form, Pérez still has a chance to prove himself in the final two races of the season. A late-season chassis change seemed to improve his pace in Brazil, and in Las Vegas he finally received a long overdue floor upgrade. However, he will need to produce results quickly if he is to have any hope of saving his seat.
Red Bull’s decision is complicated by the lack of clear alternatives. While young drivers such as Liam Lawson and Franco Colapinto have impressed in their debut seasons, neither has shown the consistency required to take on the daunting challenge of partnering Verstappen.
For Pérez, the path is clear: perform in Qatar and Abu Dhabi or face the prospect of leaving F1.
Midfield teams chasing big prizes – The battle for sixth
Further down the grid, the battle for sixth place in the Constructors’ Championship is heating up, with Haas, Alpine and RB separated by just four points.
It may seem a small margin, but the financial implications are significant. The difference in prize money between sixth and seventh is estimated to be worth tens of millions of dollars, which can be critical for teams operating under Formula One’s cost cap.
Alpine’s resurgence, highlighted by a double podium in Brazil, has brought them into contention, while Haas have been a model of consistency, scoring points in six of the last seven races. RB, boosted by a recent suspension upgrade, could also play a spoiler in this tightly contested battle.
For these teams, every point will count in Qatar and Abu Dhabi as they battle for a greater share of the sport’s lucrative prize pool.
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Setting the stage for 2025: Norris and McLaren’s ambitions
As the 2024 season draws to a close, some drivers are already looking ahead to 2025. Lando Norris, McLaren’s star driver, is positioning himself as a potential title challenger next year. While Norris has made significant strides this season, he admits he still has work to do to consistently compete with Verstappen.
The final races of the season offer Norris a chance to build momentum. Strong performances in Qatar and Abu Dhabi could give him the confidence to start 2025 on the front foot. For McLaren, finishing the season with the Constructors’ Championship and a string of strong results from Norris would cap a remarkable year of progress and set the tone for a sustained challenge next season.
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Looking to the future
The 2024 finale could also be a preview of the battles to come in 2025. Whether it’s Verstappen continuing his dominance, Ferrari maintaining their upward trajectory or McLaren establishing themselves as genuine contenders, the groundwork is already being laid for next year. For drivers like Norris, the chance to send a message to their rivals is invaluable.
As the 2024 Formula One season draws to a close, the storylines remain compelling. From the Constructors’ Championship battle to individual drivers fighting for their careers, the final two races promise high drama and intense competition. With so much at stake, the stage is set for a thrilling finale to an unforgettable season.
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With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
