(Reuters) – Formula One is gearing up for a historic 24-race season that kicks off in Bahrain on March 2 and concludes in Abu Dhabi on Dec 8. The upcoming season has already been marked by some surprising developments, including Haas boss Guenther Steiner’s departure and the unexpected news of Lewis Hamilton’s switch from Mercedes to Ferrari for the 2025 season, along with Red Bull’s investigation into team principal Christian Horner’s behavior.
Charles Leclerc has committed to Ferrari with a contract extension, while McLaren has secured Lando Norris for the foreseeable future. With plenty of key storylines to follow, let’s take a closer look at what could dominate discussions in the upcoming year.
RED BULL DOMINANCE: Red Bull had an incredibly dominant season last year, winning 21 out of 22 races, with Max Verstappen claiming 19 victories. The question now is how far ahead Red Bull will be this year and whether their rivals can catch up.
HORNER INVESTIGATION: Christian Horner has refuted undisclosed allegations against him, but the uncertainty remains – will he stay or depart? His potential departure could have significant consequences for the reigning champions.
HAMILTON’S MERCEDES FAREWELL: Seven-time champ Lewis Hamilton is entering his final season with Mercedes before transitioning to Ferrari. Can the 39-year-old triumph with Mercedes once more? Has Mercedes resolved their two-year slump?
SILLY SEASON: With more than half of the grid’s contracts set to expire in 2024, speculation abounds regarding the future of top seats and drivers. Who will replace Hamilton at Mercedes? Where will Carlos Sainz end up? Will Daniel Ricciardo join Red Bull Racing?
FERNANDO ALONSO: Turning 43 in July, the two-time champ remains a force in the sport. How much longer will Alonso compete, and where will he land next season?
B TEAM: AlphaTauri’s evolution into Visa Cash App RB has raised questions about Red Bull’s ownership of two teams. McLaren’s Zak Brown has raised concerns about potential advantages this arrangement may confer.
BURNOUT: With a record 24 races on the calendar, fatigue among team members, particularly mechanics, may become a pressing issue as the season progresses.
SPRINT RACES: This season introduces a revamped schedule where the sprint qualifying “shootout” takes place on Fridays, followed by a 100km race on Saturday morning and regular qualifying later that day.
FIA AND F1: Tensions between F1’s commercial rights holders and the governing body are expected to persist in 2024, following combative interactions in the previous year.
ANDRETTI: Although denied entry as an 11th team for 2025, Andretti Cadillac, supported by General Motors, may still pursue an F1 presence in the future. What steps will they take next?
FIRST WIN: Will 2024 be the year Lando Norris clinches his maiden victory after scoring six second-place finishes in 2023? Or will he break the record for most podiums without a win, currently shared with retired driver Nick Heidfeld?
NEW BOSSES AND NAMES: Ayao Komatsu and Laurent Mekies have assumed leadership roles at Haas and Red Bull, respectively. Meanwhile, Sauber-run Alfa Romeo now competes as Stake F1 or Kick, depending on betting regulations, though many fans still refer to them as Sauber.
(Reporting by Alan Baldwin, editing by Christian Radnedge)
