BBC F1 Team Reviews 2024 Season’s Defining Moments, Controversies, and 2025 Outlook

Despite Max Verstappen securing his fourth consecutive drivers’ title, the Formula 1 season proved largely unpredictable. McLaren claimed the constructors’ championship, with McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes collectively winning 15 of the 24 races, a notable difference from 2023 when Red Bull dominated by winning 23 Grands Prix. The BBC Radio 5 Live F1 team has identified their standout moments and disappointments from 2024, alongside their expectations for the 2025 season. F1 commentator Harry Benjamin highlighted Silverstone as his top moment, citing “five cars in the hunt, mixed conditions and Lewis Hamilton taking victory in his final race as a Mercedes driver at the British Grand Prix.” He added, “I’ve never been emotional before during a commentary but this was something that was just truly special to witness.” BBC F1 correspondent Andrew Benson also pointed to the British Grand Prix, describing it as having “everything.” He noted “A fight for the lead between three teams, multiple overtaking manoeuvres, strategy mishaps, mistakes, changeable weather, a massive crowd and great atmosphere and a win for Lewis Hamilton,” which “not only set a new record for wins at a single circuit, but also marked the end of a two-and-half-year drought for the seven-time world champion.” Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff “described it as a ‘fairytale’ and he wasn’t wrong.” Presenter and reporter Rosanna Tennant highlighted the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, where Max Verstappen “started from 17th on the grid and drove through the torrential rain and impossible conditions to the top step of the podium.” She considered it “a critical moment for his championship and I think the moment where he felt Lando Norris was no longer a threat.” Presenter and reporter Jennie Gow remarked that Max Verstappen’s performance in Brazil was “such an utterly stunning and devastating showing of what he can do,” demonstrating