Motorsport 2024 season review: Verstappen cements his legacy as one of the greatest; Martin caps Pramac chapter with title

Motorsport 2024 season review: Verstappen cements his legacy as one of the greatest; Martin caps Pramac chapter with title

In 2024, the world of motorsport witnessed several thrilling races, monumental achievements, and memorable events that captivated fans worldwide.

The F1 fraternity endured yet another record-breaking season, during which competitiveness, on-track battles, and paddock drama scaled new heights. The year 2024 marked the return of McLaren as it ended a 26-year win-less drought to seal the Constructors’ Championship.

Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri ensured the Woking-based team was a strong contender, especially after updates to its cars. With six wins, multiple podium finishes, and points every weekend, McLaren’s consistency paid off as it leapfrogged Red Bull and kept Ferrari at bay to ascend to the throne.

While Ferrari witnessed a terrific comeback during the latter part of the season, Red Bull had to contend with poor performance and Sergio Perez’s struggles.

However, the Milton Keynes-based side stayed afloat thanks to defending champion Max Verstappen’s efforts. The Dutchman thwarted Norris’ attempt to catch him, grabbing a fourth successive drivers’ crown. Verstappen, after a brilliant comeback in Brazil and an anti-climactic sixth-place finish in Las Vegas, protected his position and established himself among the greatest in the sport.

While Verstappen won nine of the 24 races, seven different drivers won more than a race apiece, making it a dynamic season. Some of the major podium wins included Lando Norris’ first F1 win (Miami), Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc breaking his Monaco curse, and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton standing on the top step after 945 days, securing a record ninth victory at Silverstone.

However, there were plenty of moments apart from race results that stole the spotlight. Only into the second race weekend, super-sub Oliver Bearman was the talk of the town after filling in for a recovering Carlos Sainz in Saudi Arabia and finishing in the points on debut. The F2 driver was also part of another successful race for Haas — after Kevin Magnussen was handed a race ban — and will start his first full season with the team in 2025.

Often referred to as the ‘silly season’, the driver swap phenomenon continued as veteran Daniel Ricciardo departed Racing Bulls, making way for Liam Lawson. The Kiwi garnered the attention of Red Bull at the right time, resulting in his promotion after only 11 F1 races. The finale in Abu Dhabi also saw 2025 driver Jack Doohan get his first race under his belt, replacing Alpine’s Esteban Ocon, who moves to Haas.

Adrian Newey, the acclaimed British designer and the man behind much of Red Bull’s success, revealed that he would be leaving the team after 18 years to start a new chapter with Aston Martin. Other significant announcements were always around the corner — erratic driver penalties, including one for swearing which Verstappen served, the reveal and subsequent changes to the 2026 F1 rules, and even the possible addition of an 11th team, Cadillac.

The 2024 MotoGP season featured 20 rounds of fierce on-track battles, with Jorge Martin and Francesco Bagnaia leading the way. However, the premier two-wheeler championship also saw several races cancelled, postponed, or rescheduled.

Kazakhstan — introduced in place of the Indian Grand Prix — and Argentina were excluded from the calendar, while the finale in Valencia had to be relocated to Barcelona due to floods in the region. Nevertheless, the fight for the ultimate crown went on until the very end, with Martin and his No. 89 Prima Pramac finishing on top.

The Spaniard’s consistency helped him edge defending champion Bagnaia in the season-ending race. Martin also became the first rider from an independent team to win the championship in the modern MotoGP era. While Martin bid farewell to the Ducati team, he did so with a historic win before switching to Aprilia.

India continued to improve its motorsport infrastructure and establish itself as a growing hub for the sport. The Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI), the country’s governing body, continued to organise multiple National Championships for two-wheelers, four-wheelers, karts, and more.

The Indian Racing Festival — featuring the Indian Racing League (IRL) and the FIA Formula 4 Indian Championship (F4IC) — went ahead with its third season. There were five rounds of racing, including India’s first night street race: a 3.5-kilometre stretch around the Island Grounds, transformed into the Chennai Formula Racing Circuit. This 19-turn track, winding through iconic landmarks like Napier Bridge and the Victoria War Memorial, saw thousands in attendance.

It was yet another successful year for India in world motorsport, with several drivers and riders finishing on the podium and flying the flag high. Kush Maini, an Alpine Academy driver competing in his second F2 season, became the first Indian to win a sprint race, secure a pole position, and help his team (Invicta Racing) secure the Constructors’ Championship.

Rally rider Aishwarya Pissay, the first Indian to win a world motorsport title (2019 FIM Bajas World Cup), had another solid year and claimed a record-breaking third World Cup medal. Johann Emmanuel scripted history by becoming the first Indian to win all three races in the 300 SSP category of the Qatar Superbike and Superstock Championship at the Lusail International Circuit in Qatar.

In the karting division, Atiqa Mir powered through the field and won several laurels. She became the first female racer to win a race at the Rotax Challenge International Trophy at Le Mans and the first Indian to finish on the podium in the Mini U10 category in the history of the Champions of the Future Academy Program, an initiative supported by the F1 Academy.

The 2025 Formula One caravan will be gearing up for fresh battles, with only 10 drivers staying with their respective teams, and five F2 graduates added to the mix. The F1 bandwagon will set off on another 24-race-long season, with Hamilton beginning a new journey with Ferrari and Lawson facing a tough challenge in Red Bull’s second seat.

MotoGP has scheduled a record 22 rounds for the second successive year, with Hungary making its debut and Thailand hosting the opening round.

Martin, the new Aprilia rider, will be on a mission to defend his crown against Bagnaia, who will be joined by six-time champion Marc Marquez at Ducati Lenovo.

Among Indian motorsport athletes, Bengaluru-born Maini will drive for DAMS in his third F2 season, with eyes set on the top spot. Ace rider Pissay will compete in the upcoming Baja World Cup, aiming for a place in the prestigious Dakar Challenge.

The Indian motorsport events are expected to continue fostering talent through national championships, which have consistently identified and propelled skilled racers to the international stage.

The latest Indian driver making waves in the top tiers of motorsport, showcased his skill and talent in recent months. After becoming an Alpine Academy driver in 2023, the 24-year-old secured multiple opportunities to test Alpine’s Formula 1 cars, frequently impressing with his timings. He is set to compete in his third Formula 2 season where a better outing could potentially land him a coveted seat among the big-league drivers in Formula One.