Formula 1 fans worldwide are eagerly awaiting the 2024 season – a record-breaking spectacle featuring 24 Grand Prix events filled with high-octane thrills and unexpected twists. F1 wanted to run with a 24-race calendar in 2023, but issues in China and Italy forced them to delay the experiment until the upcoming season.
Read on as we dive into what this record-breaking 2024 season holds for F1, starting with a look at the upcoming schedule.
F1 embarks on another globe-trotting Year
The 2024 Formula 1 season will unfold across 24 grands prix, taking the world’s best motorsports experience to different corners of the globe. Here is the schedule:
- March 2 – Bahrain
- March 9 – Saudi Arabia
- March 24 – Australia
- April 7 – Japan
- April 21 – China
- May 5 – Miami
- May 19 – Emilia Romagna
- May 26 – Monaco
- June 9 – Canada
- June 23 – Spain
- June 30 – Austria
- July 7 – United Kingdom
- July 21 – Hungary
- July 28 – Belgium
- August 25 – Netherlands
- September 1 – Italy
- September 15 – Azerbaijan
- September 22 – Singapore
- October 20 – United States
- October 27 – Mexico
- November 3 – Brazil
- November 23 – Las Vegas
- December 1 – Qatar
- December 8 – Abu Dhabi
Drivers’ contracts uncertainty
The grid for the upcoming season mirrors the 2023 line-up, but a contractual earthquake is brewing beneath the surface. Reigning world champion Max Verstappen comfortably sits under Red Bull’s wing with a secure contract until 2028. He is the favourite to clinch the title at the end of the season, with bookmakers handing him odds of 1/4 to claim top spot for the fourth successive year.
Teammate Sergio Perez (25/1) is contracted until the end of 2024, while Lewis Hamilton (11/1) and George Russell (25/1) have their Mercedes futures secured until 2025 and beyond. Russell’s journey from F1 underdog to Mercedes front-runner has undoubtedly captivated sports bettors in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Several Ireland betting apps rate Russell as a 25/1 shot to win the title – odds which will likely garner plenty of each-way interest among savvy punters.
McLaren duo Lando Norris (13/2) and Oscar Piastri (20/1) will also fancy their chances of delivering more points after upsetting the odds on several occasions last season. While their respective futures with the team are relatively secure, the rest of the driver market is a swirling vortex of speculation.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc (33/1) and Carlos Sainz (40/1) both face uncertain futures, while veteran Fernando Alonso is not a long-term solution for Aston Martin. While Alpine may find it difficult to retain the services of Esteban Ocon (500/1) and Pierre Gasly (500/1), further adding to the off-track intrigue during the 2024 season.
Numerous other drivers could also be in line to move teams, which will give the off-track pundits plenty to discuss throughout the campaign.
Red Bull and verstappen will be hard to beat in 2024!
Verstappen will be tough to stop
Verstappen’s path to a fourth consecutive crown looks relatively easy. His Red Bull machine is a finely tuned weapon, honed to perfection over multiple seasons. He is unflappable under pressure and laser-focused in the pursuit of victory. His rivals may nibble at the edges, but Verstappen looks set to claim another world title.
British drivers could dominate the battle for second place. Hamilton may have one eye on retirement, but his competitive fire burns brightly as he strives to claim an eighth world title. While Mercedes teammate Russell will also be pushing hard. His fearless driving and tactical acumen could see him emerge as a genuine rival to Verstappen.
Norris is a proven podium contender for McLaren, but he may not have things all his own way this season against talented teammate Piastri. He produced several eye-catching performances last term and could be the value bet to finish inside the top three in the title standings.
F1 2024 FIA Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship outright odds
The latest outright odds for the 2024 FIA Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship are as follows:
- Max Verstappen – 1/4
- Lando Norris – 13/2
- Lewis Hamilton – 11/1
- Oscar Piastri – 20/1
- George Russell – 25/1
- Sergio Perez – 25/1
- Fernando Alonso – 33/1
- Charles Leclerc – 33/1
- Carlos Sainz – 40/1
- Daniel Ricciardo – 100/1
- Lance Stroll – 250/1
- Alexander Albon – 250/1
- Esteban Ocon – 500/1
- Pierre Gasly – 500/1
- Yuki Tsunoda – 500/1
- Nico Hulkenberg – 1000/1
- Guanyu Zhou – 1000/1
- Valtteri Bottas – 1000/1
- Kevin Magnussen – 1000/1
