If you weren’t aware of what Formula One Racing is, let me inform you of one of the most competitive, very intense, quite dangerous, arguably most interesting motorsport. Commonly known as Formula 1 or F1, the motorsport, in the simplest of terms, is the highest class of international racing, being held since 1950.
With the number of races per year averaging in the low 20s, each race is looked at as an equivalent to the singular Super Bowl Sunday that is only held annually. Each race is known as a Grand Prix, consisting of practice rounds, and qualifying rounds- this is when they determine the lineup for the race itself. You win the qualifying round, and you have pole position, or the very first spot in the race.
As I said, it’s competitive, it’s intense— but let’s dive in deeper.
There are 20 drivers under contracts to 10 different teams, also known as constructors- two drivers per constructor. The drivers can change- just like any sport, but through contracts, spots are held for various amounts of time.
Let’s take a look at the list of constructures, and the drivers under each. The 2024 driver line-up is identical to last year’s, making history as this is the first time that every team and driver remains the same from the end of one season and the start of the next.
Last year, Nyck de Vries, 29, drove for then AlphaTauri and was dropped mid-season for Daniel Ricciardo, 34. Ricciardo is held in high-esteem due to his experience; he now drives for newly named Visa Cash App RB Formula One Team, shortened to RB. Alongside Ricciardo is Yuki Tsunoda, 23.
Up next, currently trending due to contract talks, is Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team, otherwise known as Mercedes. George Russel, 26, drives alongside Lewis Hamilton, 39… but not for long. Contracts have drivers coming and going often, some even for just a year- but after driving with Mercedes since 2013, the seven-time winner of World Drivers’ Championship titles is to drive for Ferrari starting next year.
Pictured is Lewis Hamilton having a podium win in 2023.
Currently driving for Ferrari, shortened from Scuderia Ferrari, are Charles Leclerc, 26, and teammate Carlos Sainz, 29. Having nine podium wins between the two of them in 2023, or also known as getting within top three, Leclerc and Sainz are both highly experienced drivers and are always a threat on the track.
Next is the highly favored team, Oracle Red Bull Racing, or more known without the Oracle. Sergio Perez, 34, is teammates with the 2023 World Drivers’ Championship title winner Max Verstappen, 26. Having held 29 podium wins between them throughout last year’s season, this duo is highly expected to come back even stronger this year. Verstappen broke retired F1 driver, Sebastian Vettel’s, record of nine consecutive wins by getting his 10th at the Italian Grand Prix on September 3rd.
Pictured is Max Verstappen celebrating his 10th consecutive win in 2023.
Next, we have, also favored, McLaren Formula 1 Team, or McLaren for short. Driving is Lando Norris, 24, and not-a-rookie-anymore Oscar Piastri, 22. Both being very skilled on track, they are a force to be reckoned with, also having podium finishes between them in the 2023 season.
Following McLaren is Williams Racing, or just Williams, with driver Alexander Albon, 27, and second-year Logan Sargeant, 23. Sargeant was talked about much during 2023 for being American and showing his improvement throughout his debut season. With only having a contract for 2023, after talks with the team, Sargeant was granted a contract that would last until 2024. Many have high hopes for the American this season, and his teammate Albon as well.
BWT Apline F1 Team, or Alpine, has Pierre Gasly, 28, and Estaban Ocon, 27.
MoneyGram Haas F1 Team, or commonly known as HAAS, is Kevin Magnussen, 31, and Nico H¨lkenberg, 36.
Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team, or just Aston Martin, has drivers Fernando Alonso, 42, and Lance Stroll, 25.
Lastly is Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber, known as Kick Sauber, and formerly known as Alfa Romeo, are drivers Valterri Bottas, 34, and Zhou Guanyu, 24.
10 teams, 20 drivers, and 24 races in the 2024 season- Formula One Racing is going to have another big year… but this isn’t a shock. Join fans and family for pre-season testing, February 21st, 2024 to get a sneak peak of what’s to come.