Max Verstappen’s return of 575 points this season was the most F1 has ever seen and with three titles to his name he is in a pantheon of five greats.
Only Lewis Hamilton, Michael Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel and Juan Manuel Fangio have reached that total and next year he could become the second man to score four in a row.
Red Bull swept away the competition, leaving Toto Wolff’s Mercedes behind and Ferrari wondering how on earth they could get close.
It was another year of progress for McLaren, who could be Red Bull’s closest rivals in 2024, while George Russell would have to think about his future after once again playing second fiddle to Hamilton.
With the engines switched off after a 22-round marathon season, Mail Sport’s Jonathan McEvoy looks back on a year dominated by one man and his machine.
Max Verstappen won a record 19 of the 22 races to advance to his third Drivers’ Championship
He is now on par with Formula 1’s all-time greats and sets another single-year points record
Driver of the century
Never mind Driver of the Year, Max Verstappen has not only lit a bonfire in the record books but has barely had an off-day en route to the most foregone conclusion of a world championship ever.
It became a bore and then a phenomenon.
In an attempt to pinpoint an aspect of Max’s unique talent, someone at Red Bull told me they marveled at his extreme fearlessness.
Mercedes mirage
An even worse year than last for the Silver Arrows, if only because they revealed that confusion and indecision are ingrained. They should have abandoned their car concept sooner – it was essentially a dud. Lewis Hamilton realized this before the technicians and demanded change.
Mike Elliott, technical director, decided to make a lateral move (ahem!) and later left the organization altogether. But who gave him this job in the first place, and who kept him there for too long?
Their most competitive performance was driving an illegal car in the US. Then it was normal again.
It was a challenging year for Mercedes, which only improved after Lewis Hamilton demanded they ditch their concept car
Technical director Mike Elliott left for the Silver Arrows during another sad season
Long live Las Vegas!
This is how Verstappen sang about winning the first race on the Strip. But he was also very outspoken about the elevation of the ‘show’ over the ‘sport’, as he perceived it.
His words were a timely warning to Liberty Media, the sport’s owners, not to trade motorsport’s DNA for endless Superbowl-style glitz.
But whether you agree or not, it was welcome that the world champion broke through the banalities of press conferences to express an opinion.
Formula 1 took to the streets of Las Vegas for the first time since 1982 without sparing any costs
However, Verstappen questioned the elevation of show over sport, with Vegas being the third American race on the calendar
Ferrari frustration
A little tip of the hat to the Scuderia for breaking Red Bull’s monopoly in Singapore through Carlos Sainz. But apart from that, it was another terrible year for Formula 1’s most successful team.
The lightning-fast Charles Leclerc has yet to show that he can operate at the level of Verstappen.
Trying to prove that to himself may be the reason he tends to overextend himself and make mistakes.
Sainz had a decent year, finishing six points behind Ferrari’s top earner, Leclerc.
Carlos Sainz (left) was the only non-Red Bull driver to win a race, but Ferrari will be disappointed if he finishes third
McLaren revival
Aston Martin started as Red Bull’s closest challenger, but fell away a bit.
It is McLaren that has improved by leaps and bounds. Thanks to CEO Zak Brown for appointing Andrea Stella as his team principal. The Italian’s clear technical leadership has worked wonders.
The best chance of a tie-breaker in 2024 lies with the British team, 16 years since Hamilton won their last world championship.
British boys
Lando Norris has made a huge impression, but he can be his own worst enemy with nasty mistakes, including his latest qualifying mistake in Abu Dhabi. Maybe getting his first win would make him feel satisfied.
Red Bull are among those keeping an eye on Norris, but McLaren’s revival means they are hopeful of retaining their protégé when his contract expires after 2025.
George Russell hasn’t been the force he was last year, when he surpassed even Hamilton. The pair are evenly matched in qualifying, but for the most part Russell hasn’t raced as shrewdly as Hamilton.
The team is ready to serve Hamilton. Russell should seriously consider whether he would like to play second fiddle to the main man in the near future.
A round of applause for Russell’s best friend, London-born Thai Alex Albon, a consistent star for a Williams team improved by new boss James Vowles (to seventh from 10th last year).
McLaren could become Red Bull’s biggest challengers next season after a year of progress
They are hopeful of retaining Lando Norris beyond 2025, despite Red Bull taking notice
George Russell should consider his Mercedes position as Hamilton remains their main man
Alonso’s Peter Pan
The Spaniard remains impressive into his 43rd year. His brilliant third place in Brazil for Aston Martin was a good example as he lasted so long and eventually passed Sergio Perez’s superior Red Bull again.
His form supports 38-year-old Hamilton’s belief in his own longevity.
I’m glad Alonso’s teammate Lance Stroll has shaken off the mid-late season torpor and apparent loss of confidence.
People say he has it easy being the son of the boss. Yes, in a way. But it can act as a golden cage. Good luck to him.
Fernando Alonso finished fourth for Aston Martin this season and his form supports Hamilton’s belief in his own longevity
Horner’s triumph
Christian Horner has orchestrated a remarkable achievement at Red Bull.
History shows that F1 empires crumble in the wake of sustained success, which Red Bull enjoyed in spades between 2010 and 2013. Williams is the best example of decline. McLaren too.
But Red Bull is experiencing a second wave, and under the same leadership. So cheer where it’s due.
Christian Horner deserves credit for orchestrating a second era of success at Red Bull
Toto’s tantrum
Take, from some unkind comments from the apparently urbane Toto Wolff, his reaction to Verstappen’s unprecedented perfect 10 wins from 10 races.
“I don’t know if he (Verstappen) cares about records,” the Austrian said, showing that the pressure of the track might be too much for him. ‘It’s not something that would be important to me. It’s for Wikipedia, and no one reads that anyway.’
Wikipedia should file a lawsuit.
Toto Wolff has often cut a troubled figure this season with several unfriendly outbursts
