Max Verstappen’s mesmeric drive, defiant Geri Halliwell and a Lewis Hamilton’s bombshell: JONATHAN McEVOY’s F1 end-of-season awards
A dramatic 2024 Formula 1 season came to an end on Sunday as Lando Norris ended the season on a high, winning the race and helping his McLaren team to the constructors’ title.
Despite missing out on the Drivers’ Championship himself, the 25-year-old claimed McLaren’s first team title since 1998, a fortnight after Max Verstappen claimed his fourth consecutive Drivers’ Championship.
But it was a season of ups and downs, left and right, distortions, accusations and bickering. And in three months we’ll do it all again.
Here, MailSport’s JONATHAN McEVOY looks back at some of the season’s special moments as he presents his awards from the past nine months.
Driver of the Year
Max Verstappen. Everyone was knocking from a mile away.
Max Verstappen was the driver of the year, winning the title in what was largely the third best car
All other complaints about his strong driving were sour grapes – this was his best championship win yet
He took the title in what was usually the third best car, thanks to a mix of magnificent racing talent and sheer willpower, maximizing his scores when his Red Bull was dominant at the start of the season and then defiantly persevering when that wasn’t the was the case.
Flawless, but with one extravagant move in turn eight in Mexico. All other complaints about his strong armament were sour grapes. His best championship of four in a row and one of the best by anyone in the history of the sport.
Missed opportunity of the year
A shame for Lando Norris, because he rode excellently in so many ways – think of all those unconverted poles. But he and McLaren realized too late that he was in the running for the driver’s crown. He needed support sooner. Opportunities to win championships rarely come around and when they do, you have to take them like your life depends on it.
You can’t give an inch on the track or make overly ambitious moves, like turn four in Mexico, when he wasn’t far enough ahead on the outside in a short corner, and expect to beat a phenomenon like Verstappen.
Lando Norris rode excellently in so many ways, but it was too late by the time he realized he was in the hunt for the championship
Survivor of the Year
Who would have given Christian Horner a fiver if he survived as Red Bull team boss that night in Bahrain when an anonymous email allegedly revealed dozens of lewd messages to a female staff member dropped? He never admitted sending them. Red Bull said the texts were forged.
Two independent appeals cleared him of wrongdoing, and he continues to do so. The woman in question has been suspended with pay.
Performance of the year I
Geri Halliwell’s challenging walk through the paddock in Bahrain. Stoic and studied, she held hands with her beleaguered husband, cameras clicking with every step. No wonder he hailed the support of his “amazing wife.”
Performance of the Year II
Verstappen’s mesmerizing drive in the rain in Brazil from 17th on the grid to win. The rest slid. He traveled like a bullet train.
‘Flawless’, said Red Bull guru Helmut Marko. Max had made one small, invisible mistake. Marko didn’t believe him.
Christian Horner survived as Red Bull chief after an email allegedly revealed dozens of lewd messages – he was flanked by his wife Geri Halliwell
Verstappen’s mesmerizing drive in Brazil from 17th on the grid to win is the Performance of the Year
Bomb of the year
Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari, announced prior to the season. It surprised Mercedes, who never thought their star man would walk away.
But joining the Scuderia was a dream from a young age. A £60 million deal undoubtedly helped. Rejuvenation there after a dismal three years is his last and best chance.
Quote of the year
Horner in response to arch-enemy Toto Wolff’s accusation that he is a ‘yapping little terrier’.
With a smile, Horner said, “They’re great dogs and I’ve had four of them. I have owned a pair of West Highland Terriers, Bernie and Flavio.
‘The great thing about terriers is that they are extremely loyal. They are not afraid to work with the larger dogs. I’d rather be a terrier than a wolf…’
Lewis Hamilton’s switch to Ferrari, announced in preparation, is the bomb of the year
Horner reacted cheekily to Toto Wolff’s (left) statement that he is a ‘yipping little terrier’
Breed of the year
Montreal. Yes, the British Grand Prix was a fairytale victory for Hamilton after 945 dark days since his previous victory, in 2021. But the Canadian race in even more unpredictable circumstances than at Silverstone delivered a classic.
Norris should have won, but stayed out one lap too long in the rain when the safety car came out. George Russell might also have had the upper hand, but he made a few mistakes. And as surely as night follows day, Verstappen won a race he should never have driven.
Jerk of the Year
Verstappen and Russell argue about qualifying in Qatar. Verstappen called Russell a conniving man with two faces.
Russell took revenge and dismissed the Dutchman as a bully who threatened to drive him against the wall. Strong words. There will always be an undercurrent between them, no matter how many times they shake hands and move on.
The Canadian race under even more unpredictable circumstances than at Silverstone produced a classic
Verstappen and George Russell (right), meanwhile, clashed violently during the Qatar weekend
Cameo of the year
Take a bow for Ollie Bearman, who was thrown straight into the Ferrari hotseat after Carlos Sainz succumbed to appendicitis in Saudi Arabia.
The treacherous Jeddah circuit is not a training ground for the faint of heart, but the Essex teenager acquitted himself wonderfully to finish seventh on debut. A place at Haas next season is fully deserved.