You can never count anyone out it seems when it comes to the 2024 F1 season, as Ferrari and Charles Leclerc once again throw a spanner in the works when it comes to both the Championship and these power rankings.
Before we see how much of a spanner, the usual disclaimer. You know the drill, these are all subjective and based mainly on my (incredibly smart) opinion mixed with form and on-track results, meaning it is a generally subjective list that holds no real weight except for the large basis of fact I like to think I can generate.
So with that in mind, let’s get to the rankings!
10. Kevin Magnussen (new)
Just missed out on points in the main race on the Sunday but drove a great sprint race to get points and a great overall weekend in which he was close to his teammate. A confidence building weekend for Magnussen as he gets closer to the end of his F1 career.
9. George Russell (-)
Yes, he crashed out in qualifying, but actually drove a fairly solid and underrated weekend. Put in an absolutely stonking lap in sprint qualifying to nearly take pole, and fought as hard as he could with the pace of the car to get some points. Drove the race of his life on the Sunday to then go from the pit lane to the points in a performance that many overlooked.
8. Liam Lawson (new)
Look away now Daniel Ricciardo fans. That was an amazing drive by Lawson to go from last to ninth in his first race back. Some great battles with Fernando Alonso in the sprint race too showcased his skill, as he shows all around him just why he deserves to be on the grid in Formula 1.
(Photo by Getty Images)
7. Carlos Sainz (+1)
Feel bad not putting Carlos higher on this list as he actually drove fantastically all weekend. But due to the form of those around him, it’s a tad tricky to really place him much higher. His sprint race was extra special given his hard fighting against his teammate, and then some great strategy saw him finish in second once again in the main race. A great weekend for the Spaniard.
6. Nico Hulkenberg (-)
Double points for Nico over the weekend continues his strong form and his tilt towards the driver of the year award at the end of the year. Looked comfortable all weekend and showed his skill in a car that many predicted wouldn’t score a point all year.
5. Oscar Piastri (-3)
A real nothing weekend for Oscar. Eliminated in SQ1 and struggled to make much ground in the sprint, before qualifying and finishing fifth in the race in what was a lonely time for him on the Sunday. If he hopes to finish third in the Drivers’ Championship, he’ll have to hope for the return of his good form in the coming races.
4. Franco Colapinto (+1)
Can we just sit back and understand that Colapinto more than likely won’t be on the grid in 2025? Of all the drivers who are set to miss out, this might be the biggest travesty. I said it in a previous column that he might be the find of the 2024 season, and I stand by that. If 2025 isn’t to be for him, then 2026 we will definitely be seeing his face on the grid once more.
(Photo by Getty Images)
3. Lando Norris (-2)
It wasn’t worst case scenario for Lando in Austin but dropping points to Verstappen was not ideal. It was only five in total, but that’s still five points he is going to have to find in the final five races. Not impossible of course, but still makes his task harder.
2. Max Verstappen (+2)
How weird is it to think that it was weird to see Verstappen win again in F1? It had been a while, but a sprint win was a strong result for the man who still has his grasp on the Drivers’ Championship. Third in the main race was the best he could hope for, but he beat Norris in both races in Austin, and that’s a big win for him.
1. Charles Leclerc (+2)
A faultless race by Leclerc was backed up by a strong sprint race and an overall strong weekend. Has been on the podium now in five of the last six races, with two wins coming from those. A super long shot at the Drivers’ Championship, but never say never.
What do you think of this list? Which order would you currently rank the drivers in? Let me know your thoughts below!
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