With the dramatic Hungarian GP weekend behind us, it’s a good time for me to reflect on this year’s season so far. It’s a bit past the midway point, but close enough! With seven different winners, unpredictable podium finishes and pole positions, F1 fans have been in for a treat this year.
It’s also been a while since I last wrote my F1 piece. I just have so many ideas and topics I want to write about! But with all the F1 discussions I’ve been having with people (IRL and on Substack), it’s giving me the itch that I need to scratch out.
Seven Different Winners Who Would’ve Thought!
Who could have predicted that we’d have seven different winners by midseason? For those who haven’t been keeping up, here they are:
Max Verstappen (obviously)
Lewis Hamilton
George Russell
Carlos Sainz
Charles Leclerc
Lando Norris
Oscar Piastri
Most fans, myself included, went into this season thinking it’ll be another predictable year, with Max winning all the races like he did in 2023. Boy, were we wrong! The unpredictability of poles and podiums has made this season spicy. As for me, I would like to see Yuki and Fernando on the podium. A bit of a stretch, I know.
Championship Prediction: I’m pretty certain Max will win, but at least he won’t be running away with it! (No hate for Max; I’m actually a Max girlie)
Perez, Where You At, Bro?
Checo, where have you been? You’re supposed to be right behind Max, not letting him fight the battle all alone.
Since he re-signed with Red Bull, he’s been MIA. Crashing out, not making it past Q1 or Q2 and nowhere in the top five during the races. Or was he at some point, and I just forgot? Either way, he needs to be up there more and supporting our boy Max. I have no hate for Perez; I actually really love him and have been cheering for him. So, I would like to see him show up again, or he may end up losing the seat before 2026.
Yuki Tsunoda: The Underrated Hero
While everyone have been busy gushing over Norris (although maybe not so much after Hungary), Ricciardo, Sainz and even Lawson, who isn’t on the grid yet, Yuki have been quietly having an incredible season. Even though he’s in an AlphaTauri (or whatever the hell it is now, Visa Cash App? Sounds stupid if you ask me), he’s managed to score points in seven races out of 13.
In my opinion, he could be great in that Red Bull second seat. But he did re-sign with the sister team and I’ll keep cheering him on.
Hamilton’s Silverstone Comeback
Remember when Lewis Hamilton’s dominance bored us to tears? I sure do. It was also around the time I got into the sport. Then we all saw Max win, and it was a breath of fresh air, but that also got boring. Seeing Lewis win again at Silverstone was satisfying, and to do it in his home country was awesome. Maybe we missed him more than we realized!
Drivers Locked In For 2025
Current signings for 2025 and what I think:
Red Bull: Verstappen and Perez
Perez, watch out, don’t lose that seat.
Verstappen wasn’t going anywhere, no matter how hard Toto tried hehe.
Mercedes: Russell and TBD
Please sign Carlos?? The suspense with Carlos!!
Ferrari: Leclerc and Hamilton
No more “Bono, my tyres are gone.”
We will have many more memes with a sad Hamilton joining a sad Leclerc.
Aston Martin: Stroll and Alonso
Nepotism at its finest.
Can’t go wrong with Alonso.
McLaren: Norris and Piastri
No complaints!
Alpine: Gasly and TBD
Gasly won the French rev here.
I didn’t like Ocon anyway.
Williams: Albon and TBD
I’m cool with Albon here
Maybe Bottas will take the other seat???
Goodbye Logan, you’ll shine in Indy, though!
Haas: Bearman and TBD
Please, not Ocon, according to rumours…
Going to miss KMag; he was diabolical.
Stake: Hulkenberg and TBD
Makes sense since Audi will be joining, and they’ll want a German driver
Keep Zhou? I really like him, and he’s underrated.
Visa Cash App: Tsunoda and TBD
Wish it was Tsunoda in Red Bull, but I’m happy with him here.
Maybe Lawson can start here!
Strategic Fails and Fumbles
When you’re feeling down, just remember that F1 teams make mistakes. At least when we make mistakes and write a shitty article, the whole world won’t see it. Sure, it’s on the internet, but it hopefully won’t be comparable to race days.
Look at McLaren this past weekend. That strategy was hilariously bad, and the drivers paid for it. You also had Verstappen complaining the whole race with some of Red Bull’s calls. Then you have Ferrari, who continues to run the clown show almost every race. Poor Leclerc is always paying the price. Rain? Let’s put him on slicks!
I live for the entertainment, though. Makes it more fun and creates an endless stream of memes.
Anything Can Happen
With 11 races left, one thing is clear: anything can happen. I’m excited to see who else will go on to win the races and see what sort of strategy fails will come up. As an F1 fan, we’ve been eating this season. The grid is starting to close in on each other, not as much as we want yet, but it’s headed in the right direction! 2024 is looking to be a solid year for Formula 1!
Any predictions?
Who did you like from back in the day?
Perez really needs to step up his game, i mean Redbull could loose out on the constructors this year because he has been nowhere. i also don't know why they don't want to give Yuki ago hey? surely he would do much better the Checko at the moment?
Carlos really needs to get his seat locked in, don't think Horner will want him, so he can only really go to Mercedes, that's if Antonelli doesn't take is seat. the only other choice is either Audi or Williams?
I'm a life long Ferrari fan, just hope they get things right soon, its always plan a,b,c,d,e with them lol.
Max also needs to calm down a bit, the championship is his, all hi needs to do is finish well inside the top 5, no need to take any risks. cant wait for next year though, going to be really close.
Oh and Ocon to Haas really?, why did they do that😬😬😬surely they could have signed someone else?
Really awesome to read some f1 over here Kathy🙂 keep it coming.