Formula 1 Teams End Of Year Report Part 2
The 2024 Formula 1 season was one of transition and evolution for many teams on the grid. From stunning recoveries to promising rebuilds, this year saw a mix of setbacks and breakthroughs as teams strived to solidify their positions in the ever-competitive landscape of the sport.
In this second installment of our End-of-Year Report, we delve into the journeys of Alpine, Haas, AlphaTauri, Williams, and Kick Sauber. Each team faced unique challenges but also displayed resilience and ingenuity, setting the stage for a more dynamic 2025. With the clock ticking down to the season opener in Melbourne, these teams are already hard at work refining their strategies, enhancing their car designs, and building on the lessons learned from a gripping 2024 campaign.
Here’s a closer look at the highs, lows, and prospects for each team as we turn the page to the next chapter of Formula 1.
For Tickets and Packages Please Click Here
Alpine’s 2024: A Tale of Recovery
Alpine’s 2024 campaign was a season of two halves. A disastrous start to the year, plagued by reliability issues and inconsistent pace, saw the team fall behind early. However, mid-season updates brought newfound competitiveness, culminating in strong results in the latter stages.
Season Highlights
- Esteban Ocon claimed a surprise podium in Mexico, showcasing Alpine’s late-season resurgence.
- Pierre Gasly delivered consistent points finishes in the final third of the season.
- The team rose to sixth in the constructors’ standings after languishing near the bottom early on.
Challenges and Changes
Alpine’s poor start underscored their struggles with car development and operational efficiency. Key management changes mid-season aimed to address these issues, with the team now eyeing a fresh start in 2025.
Looking Forward
With their late-season momentum, Alpine enters 2025 with optimism. Improved reliability and a more competitive package will be essential as they aim to challenge the midfield’s top teams consistently.
Haas’ 2024: Encouraging Signs Under New Leadership
Haas showed marked improvement in 2024 under the guidance of new Team Principal Hiroshi Komatsu. While not yet regular contenders in the midfield battle, the team made steady progress with a more reliable and competitive car.
Season Highlights
- Kevin Magnussen delivered Haas’s best result with a P7 finish in Singapore.
- Nico Hülkenberg consistently outperformed expectations in qualifying, keeping the team in contention for points.
- The VF-24 demonstrated significant reliability improvements compared to its predecessors.
Challenges and Changes
Haas still faced challenges in race pace and tire management, often losing positions during longer stints. However, Komatsu’s leadership brought a more structured approach to strategy and operations.
Looking Forward
With a renewed focus on development and a stable driver pairing, Haas aims to climb further up the standings in 2025. Continued investment and incremental gains could make them a solid midfield contender.
RB’s 2024: A New Identity, Challenges, and Potential
RB entered the 2024 season under a fresh identity, shedding its AlphaTauri moniker in favor of a bold rebranding. Despite hopes of progressing through the midfield, the team ultimately ended the year in P8 in the constructors’ standings, mirroring their 2023 performance. A mid-season driver change saw Daniel Ricciardo make way for Liam Lawson, underscoring the team’s evolving strategy.
Season Highlights
- Yuki Tsunoda secured the team’s best results, finishing P7 in Australia, Miami, and Brazil.
- Ricciardo delivered a standout Sprint performance in Miami, finishing P4 in both the Sprint Shootout and the race.
- Lawson impressed during his stint, scoring points with a P9 finish in Austin.
Challenges and Changes
The team grappled with consistency throughout the year. Tsunoda emerged as the stronger performer, both in qualifying (18-6 against Ricciardo and Lawson combined) and in races. Ricciardo struggled to replicate his peak performances, leading to his mid-season departure. Lawson’s arrival brought energy and promise, but the team still lacked the overall pace to consistently challenge for higher positions.
Looking Forward
With Isack Hadjar joining Tsunoda for 2025, RB aims to climb back to its AlphaTauri-era highs, which included regular points finishes and the occasional podium. Team Principal Laurent Mekies expressed optimism about the team’s development trajectory, highlighting structural and operational improvements as key drivers for future success.
Williams’ 2024: A Season of Change and Drama
Williams navigated a turbulent 2024 season defined by a mid-season driver swap and several on-track incidents. The arrival of Franco Colapinto mid-year injected fresh energy into the team, and while results were inconsistent, there were glimpses of promise.
Season Highlights
- Alex Albon delivered a stellar P6 finish in Spa, demonstrating Williams’ potential on high-speed tracks.
- Colapinto scored his first points in Azerbaijan, showcasing his adaptability as a rookie.
- The team ended 9th in the constructors’ standings, maintaining their upward trajectory.
Challenges and Changes
The transition from Logan Sargeant to Colapinto highlighted the team’s struggle for consistency in results. Additionally, frequent crashes and operational errors cost Williams valuable points throughout the season.
Looking Forward
With a clear focus on developing their car and nurturing Colapinto’s talent, Williams aims to break into the midfield battle in 2025. Stronger race execution and fewer on-track errors will be critical to their progress.
Kick Sauber’s 2024: A Grueling Season
Kick Sauber endured one of its most challenging seasons to date, managing to avoid a pointless campaign thanks to Zhou Guanyu’s P8 finish in Qatar. However, the year was marked by struggles both on and off the track, leaving the team in what many described as “survival mode.”
Season Highlights
- Zhou’s P8 in Qatar brought much-needed relief, securing four valuable points and breaking the season-long drought.
- Bottas showcased his one-lap prowess with a standout Q3 appearance in Abu Dhabi, qualifying P9.
Challenges and Changes
The team struggled with pit stop issues early in the season, highlighted by a disastrous 52-second stop in Bahrain. Despite some improvements, performance deficiencies plagued their campaign. Both Bottas and Zhou frequently battled for lowly positions, underscoring the limitations of the car.
Looking Forward
With Audi’s full arrival as a works team in 2026, Sauber faces a crucial transitional period. The 2025 season will feature an all-new driver lineup with Nico Hülkenberg and F2 champion Gabriel Bortoleto. Under the leadership of Mattia Binotto, the team aims to instill a winning mentality and lay the foundation for a brighter future. Key personnel changes and cultural shifts will be pivotal as the team transitions from survival to competitiveness.
The 2024 Formula 1 season showcased thrilling highs and challenging lows for teams across the grid. With drivers and teams pushing the boundaries, the stage is set for an even more competitive 2025. As teams refine their strategies and develop their cars over the winter, fans eagerly anticipate the opening race of the 2025 season in Australia this March, where new rivalries and fresh narratives will begin to unfold.
