Urheilu’s F1 expert Jukka Mildh sums up the season that ended and looks ahead to next year, which will be colored by driver changes.
The 2024 F1 season has ended. The championship went to Red Bull For Max Verstappen and to the McLaren team. The phrase hides the symbolism of where the F1 series may be headed – towards a new era of dominance.
At least Urheilu’s F1 expert believes so Jukka Mildh.
With their victory, McLaren broke the control period of Mercedes and Red Bull that lasted since 2010. The championship is the team’s first since Mika Häkkinen championship year 1998.
Next, Mildh reviews the talking points of the completed F1 year.
Where was the drivers’ championship decided?
Despite the partial change of power, one driver was once again above the rest. Verstappen no longer had the best car from the end of the season, but he was still able to win.
Nine competition wins is more than half as many as the next best, i.e At Lando Norris.
So there was no doubt about the champion, but the season is remembered for Verstappen’s frustrations more than the fourth title.
– There were a lot of things wrong inside the team and he even tried to break away from Red Bull. All factors contributed to the emergence of a street brawler who couldn’t keep things inside on or off the track, Mildh reflects.
Where did the manufacturers’ championship go?
According to Mildh, McLaren was clearly the most consistent team of the F1 season. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri formed a reliable and fast couple harness.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz formed an excellent pair of opponents, but McLaren’s whole was stronger.
– In the end, McLaren was able to develop its car the best of all, Mildh emphasizes.
The road to the championship was smoothed above all by Red Bull’s situation. When Sergio Perez couldn’t support Verstappen, the success team’s lunches were eaten.
According to Mildh, McLaren will receive a pot of around 150 million euros for the championship. However, reputation becomes more important than money: McLaren has shown that it has returned to being an elite team. In the future, it will not be difficult for the stable to attract more talent to its ranks.
– The prize money does not offset all competition costs, but it is more than other teams receive. Champion status also increases the stable’s market value, Mildh reminds.
Who was the flop of the season?
Red Bull’s Perez is Mildh’s pick for the flop of the season. The Mexican couldn’t stand the pressure cooker he fell into with his performances.
In July, Red Bull extended Perez’s contract until the end of the 2026 season. This was a mistake, and the team has also admitted it.
Perez last reached the podium in the fifth race of the season in China. In the next race in Miami, he was still fourth, but after that, the second-place driver never even reached the top five.
Perez will hardly be seen at Red Bull again next season.
– It was unbelievable how such an experienced and high-class driver could have such a difficult time. The car was developed under Verstappen’s terms, but it was still really tough. Perez’s head just couldn’t take it, says Mildh.
How about a surprise?
The rise of the Haas team also surprised Mildh. Nico Hulkenberg finished tenth in the World Championship, while Haas was seventh in the manufacturers’ series, losing to Alpine by only seven points.
Even last year, Haas remained the jumbo of the entire series. The stable boss who rose to iconic fame Gunther Steiner could no longer continue. The face of Haas’ rise belonged to Hülkenberg.
During the 2020–2022 seasons, the 37-year-old champion drove only four individual races. Haas offered him another chance for the 2023 season.
Hülkenberg scored points in five of the last seven races of the completed season. Next season, the German will drive for Sauber, which will change to Audi from the 2026 season.
– The confirmation of the contract was also reflected in Hülkenberg’s motivation and results, Mildh points out.
What next?
Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton in a Ferrari, George Russell and Kimi Antonelli Mercedes, Max Verstappen and possibly Liam Lawson or Yuki Tsunoda At Red Bull – the top teams will see a new kind of dynamic next year.
The battle for the championship is even tighter between McLaren, Red Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes. According to Mildh, in this struggle it will be emphasized in which stables both drivers succeed.
The teams also have to make choices: next season they also have to develop cars that comply with the new rules for 2026.
– You can start building a new car from the beginning of next season. This changes a lot of how stables work. At the same time, the value of the championships will not change.