The Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship has been completely dominated by Max Verstappen in recent years and that has contributed to the build-up of winless streaks for a pair of legendary drivers.
The Dutchman’s talents in addition to the powerful Red Bull machinery have ensured that he has claimed first place in 41 of his last 54 grands prix. He rarely has off days but when he does it tends to be the drivers in the most impressive cars that take advantage.
This means it has been incredibly difficult for two former world champions to polish their racing CVs with further Grand Prix victories. However, that could still change in the latter half of the 2024 season as these two icons will be bidding to end their streaks that have spanned several years already.
Fernando Alonso
Fernando Alonso has remarkably not won a Grand Prix in a decade although there is a small possibility that the run could be ended this season. In betting on sports for the remainder of the year, Alonso is offered at 6/1 to win one of the remaining races on the calendar.
According to Paddy Power News, Aston Martin’s late-spring machinery improvements could lead to an upturn in performance come the latter end of the season, and Alonso is a man who can take maximum advantage of the slightest of margins going in his favour.
There has not been any short-term reward reaped from the changes to Alonso’s car although Team Principal Mike Krack confirmed that the new parts are here to stay and that they will undoubtedly be beneficial given time.
The possibility of the Spanish driver winning a race this year is ultimately a longshot considering the uncertainty surrounding Aston Martin but the unlikely cannot be ruled out when Alonso is behind the wheel.
In one of the late-season races when the Championship’s destiny is already decided and there is little to compete for, Alonso could sweep to confirm historic success for himself.
Lewis Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton is approaching three years without a GP victory. He last won in Saudi Arabia in the penultimate race of 2021. His third-place finish in this year’s Spanish Grand Prix will give him hope that one last Mercedes triumph is possible before he departs for Ferrari.
Mercedes – like Aston Martin – has struggled with inconsistent car performance levels regardless of machinery tweaks this season, although Hamilton’s podium finish in June is a sign that they may have found the optimal formula with their latest adjustments.
The seven-time world champion will be desperate to secure a 2024 race win to ensure that his final Mercedes season is a historic one and that he can go to Ferrari as a driver who has proven he is still of race-winning calibre. His chances of managing it are serious too as he is offered at 5/2 to win any of the GPs that still await us.
Alonso and Hamilton will both have to produce surprises of significantly different proportions if they are to end their contrasting streaks this year. The Spaniard will have to cause a huge upset if he is to ever win a race again, while a win in 2024 for the Englishman would not be a massive shock considering his early-summer form.
