F1 Grand Prix, GP Mexico, Autódromo Hermanos Rodriguez

Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton's decision to leave Mercedes and join Ferrari has been certainly the biggest taking point of the year, but the season saw a series of other key movements. F1Technical's senior writer Balazs Szabo reflects on the key moments of the 2024 F1 season.

Steiner leaves Haas

The year started with the news that American outfit's owner Gene Haas elected to oust long-serving team boss Guenther Steiner. The Italian left Haas ahead of the new season after having played a fundamental role in setting up the operation back in 2015.

However, Steiner was later appointed ambassador of the Miami Grand Prix. Moreover, he also started to work for the German TV channel RTL as a pundit, which saw him attend several races across the season.

Despite the early signs, Guenther's departure was not as smooth as it first looked. It emerged at the start of May that Steiner was suing his old team, alleging a breach of contract over unpaid commissions in his final years in charge. Moreover, he also stated that Haas continued to use his name, image and likeness “in its promotional materials and merchandise”.

Norris extends his contract with McLaren

At the end of January, McLaren announced the signing of an extended multi-year contract with Lando Norris. The British driver most recently committed to a new four-year agreement in February 2022.

Leclerc commits himself to Ferrari

At the end of January, Ferrari announced that Charles Leclerc agreed to a contract extension with the Scuderia.

Having joined the Ferrari Driver Academy in 2016, Leclerc won the F3 series in his debut season. After a dominant performance in the 2017 Formula 2 championship, the Monegasque then spent a year learning his trade at Sauber before first racing with the Scuderia in 2019. That year he became the youngest driver in the Scuderia's history to win a Grand Prix, with a victory at the iconic Spa-Francorchamps circuit, a feat he repeated one week later in Monza.

Hamilton shocks the world

Lewis Hamilton announced his shock departure from Mercedes on the 1st of February. The announcement caught the Formula One community by surprise, as the seven-time world champion was set to race for the Brackley-based outfit until the end of 2025.

However, an exit clause in his contract allowed Hamilton to leave the team in 2025 if he wished, and the Briton elected to terminate his contract at the end of the current season and seek for a new challenge at Ferrari next year.

Alonso extends his contract with Aston Martin

After months of speculations around the most experienced driver in the history of Formula One, Fernando Alonso underlined his commitment to Aston Martin by signing a new multi-year deal.

Having left Alpine at the end of 2022, Alonso joined Aston Martin at the start of the 2023 season. The pair enjoyed a strong start to their collaboration, with Alonso having finished on the podium in six of the opening eight races.

Following this initial successful period, the Silverstone-based outfit was unable to keep up with its rivals in the development race which saw the team slip down in the pecking order. However, Alonso grabbed another podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, having shown great performance in the tough damp conditions.

In 2024, Aston Martin continued to struggle for pace, and Alonso's best result was a fifth-place finish in the second round in Jeddah.

Hulkenberg opts to join Sauber

Haas confirmed the departue of Nico Hulkenberg, who elected to embark on a new project by joining Kick Sauber, Audi's future F1 outfit.

Newey leaves Red Bull

Ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, Red Bull confirmed that Chief Technical Officer Adrian Newey would leave the Red Bull Technology Group in the first quarter of 2025.

Following multiple reports prior to the announcement, the Milton Keynes-based outfit confirmed ahead of the European leg of the season that Newey would step back from design work. The Briton stayed with the team, but he switched his focus on the final development and delivery of Red Bull’s first hypercar, his highly anticipated RB17 which was unveiled at Goodwood last July.

Contract extensions

The next months saw four drivers announce contract extension. Alexander Albon agreed to contract extension with Williams, Pierre Gasly with Alpine, and Lance Stroll with Aston Martin. Interestingly, Sergio Perez was offered a two-year contract extension by Red Bull, which was slightly surprising given its early timing.

Bearman secures contract with Haas

Ahead of the British Grand Prix, Haas confirmed that Oliver Bearman will compete for the US-squad on a multi-year contract beginning with the 2025 F1 season.

The 19-year-old Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy member acted as Ferrari's and Haas' reserve driverwhile contesting the FIA Formula 2 Championship for Prema Racing.

Bearman, in his additional role as reserve driver for Scuderia Ferrari, made a memorable Formula 1 debut in March in Saudi Arabia substituting for the sidelined Carlos Sainz – in doing so becoming the third-youngest racer in Formula 1 history. The then 18-year-old from Chelmsford finished in P7 at his debut.

Bearman then went on to complete two other F1 races, replacing Kevin Magnussen at the Azerbaijan and the Sao Paulo Grands Prix.

Magnussen announces his retirement from Formula One

Ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, Kevin Magnussen announced that he would leave Haas at the end of the 2024 F1 season.

Commenting on Haas' decision, team boss Ayao Komatsu insisted that the Dane will end his work at Haas in his racing capacity, but he might return in "some other capacity." The Roskilde-born driver has since confirmed that he will join BMW in the World Endurance Championship.

Binotto makes his F1 return with Audi-owned Sauber

As preparations for entering the highest class of motorsports are going full speed, Audi announced the appointment of former Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto to head up its Formula 1 project as part of a major management shake-up.

The former Ferrari team boss commenced his work on August 1. Binotto took up the roles of the Chief Operating and Chief Technical Officer (COO and CTO) in the leadership team of Sauber Motorsport AG, with responsibility and accountability for the operative management and sporting success of the racing team.

Haas confirms Ocon as team-mate for Bearman

Haas signed Esteban Ocon to a multi-year contract starting in the 2025 F1 season, with the 27-year-old Frenchman becoming the first grand prix race winner to drive for the American outfit since its Formula 1 debut in 2016.

With 146 career starts in Formula 1, Ocon has competed for Manor Racing, Force India, Renault and Alpine, amassing four podium finishes to his credit, including his Hungarian Grand Prix triumph.

2022 marked Ocon’s strongest finish in the Drivers’ Championship placing eighth overall by season’s end.

Sainz signs contract with Williams

Just a day after the Belgian Grand Prix, Williams announced that Carlos Sainz would complete the team’s driver line-up for the 2025 FIA Formula 1 World Championship season and beyond.

After Ferrari announced in February that seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton will replace Carlos Sainz from 2025, the Spaniard had been linked with several outfits.

Williams confirmed following the Spa round that they secured the services of the three-time F1 race winner who will join the Grove-based outfit from Ferrari on a two-year agreement with options to extend.