F1 2024

[claretburns]

With pre-season testing now done, how are people feeling this season will pan out? Another Verstappen title at a canter? A closer battle with the likes of Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren closing the gap? Bahrain Grand Prix next week kicks off the longest season in F1 history, 24 races in total are planned.

It has possibly been the busiest winter break that I can remember, below a recap of what has happened since the final race of 2023 in Abu Dhabi:

Guenther Steiner leaves Haas
FIA launch a questionable and ultimately abandoned investigation into alleged conflict of interest between Suzie and Toto Wolff
Toto Wolff signs new deal with Mercedes
James Allison commits future with new deal at Mercedes
Madrid announced as a new street circuit from 2026
Leclerc signs new deal with Ferrari
Norris agrees new multi-year contract with McLaren
Andretti's bid to join Formula 1 from 2026 is rejected but door left open for future partnerships and participation
Hamilton to leave Mercedes and join Ferrari from 2025, resulting in Sainz losing his Ferrari seat
Japanese grand prix contract extended until 2029
Sprint weekends format to change for 2024
Silverstone signs new 10 year deal with F1 to host British Grand Prix until 2034
Cristian Horner under investigation by Red Bull for alleged inappropriate behaviour to an employee which Horner denies

Think I have covered everything there.

[Shaggy]

Another RB verstappen win again. In the era of Aero and ground effect no one can match Newy.

Mercedes dominance was only because they had a 10’year jump on everyone else with their hybrid engine, so could overpower everyone.

I’d love to see Ferrari and particularly Sainz do well this year but it’s Ferrari and they will make mistakes again.

[hetheclaret]

I think it will be similar to last season, altho I can’t see RB being quite as dominant.

Ideally, Verstappen won’t win so easily every time and there might be a bit more jeaopardy for him - and the other teams win 5/6 races rather than just one.

[Goliath]

Sounds like a red bull walkover again. There's nobody to match the combination of experience, skill and knowledge of Newey.

[tarkys_ears]

I had a chuckle yesterday at an advert for F1 Fantasy

Like that's gonna be hard to pick!

[Roosterbooster]

Prediction

Max to win at a canter, but not as much as last season
Ferrari, Mercedes and 2 others quite close for 2nd in constructors
Lewis to pip Leclerc to 2nd in drivers
Ferrari to throw away at least 2 victories in first 5 races, including losing from pole in season opener

[claretburns]

I know McLaren and Mercedes are very happy with the progress they have made over the winter with internal e-mails they have sent to employees. The difficulty is that Red Bull have been working on this car since last summer, due to the dominance they had last season and for me the trump card of them all, Red Bull have Adrian Newey.

[whiffa]

Love F1 and I'm currently watching Season 6 of Drive to Survive on Netflix which is brilliant. Hoping this season will be more competitive, last season very much seemed like a competition for 2nd place. Excited for the introduction of Audi in 2026 and what possible driver positions there will be then. I just hope it's a competitive season for us fans.

[jos]

Good to see Ricciardo back with a seat in the RB team.

As much as I admire Max, I hope it’s a tad harder for him this season.

[claretburns]

Good to see Ricciardo back with a seat in the RB team.

As much as I admire Max, I hope it’s a tad harder for him this season.

RB team to be dark horses* this season and do well.

*As much as dark horses can be applied seeing as they have gone in house with Red Bull and bought a lot of parts from them.