The top five F1 2024 races

Max Verstappen won his fourth F1 title in 2024 while McLaren ended its championship drought as it topped the constructors’ standings for the first time in 26 years.

However, the route to both titles was a challenging one as various drivers were in contention throughout the year.

There were races of heartbreak and races of joy – but which grands prix stand out above the rest?

In the order they played out during the year, RacingNews365 delivers the top five races of the season.

Canadian Grand Prix

The Canadian Grand Prix commenced in wet conditions with George Russell leading Max Verstappen off the line. The opening laps saw a mighty surge from both Haas drivers, who were the only two to start on the wet compound.

As the track dried up, Lando Norris sped past Verstappen and Russell across back-to-back laps to take the lead of the race.

Verstappen took the lead amid pit stops under a safety car that was deployed following a spin for Logan Sargeant. 

Later in the race, Norris briefly took the lead following the next round of pit stops but low tyre temperature on a wet surface allowed Verstappen to pull ahead for the lead and eventual race win.

A late battle commenced between McLaren and Mercedes for the podium places, but up front, Verstappen held on for his 60th career win.

Austrian Grand Prix

By the time F1 ventured to Austria, the F1 title fight was in full swing. While Verstappen still had a healthy lead, it was clear McLaren had the car to challenge.

Verstappen was in control for much of the race around the Red Bull Ring but in the closing stages, he came under pressure from Norris.

A lock-up at Turn 4 for Verstappen allowed Norris to close the gap even further and on lap 55, the Briton began his attack.

Verstappen, however, would not yield and the battle raged for several laps with Norris complaining about the Red Bull driver’s tactics in the braking zone.

It would all come to blows on lap 64 when the pair collided at Turn 3. Norris dropped to the back of the field, Verstappen was demoted to fifth while George Russell picked up the pieces to win for Mercedes.

British Grand Prix

Silverstone has produced great races in the past and 2024 was no different. Mercedes was in control in the opening stages as Russell led team-mate Lewis Hamilton.

But as the rain began to tip down, Hamilton had more confidence inside the car and overtook Russell on lap 18. 

The field stayed out for several laps on dry tyres, with McLaren able to fire up their cars in the conditions and overtake the Mercedes pair.

Later in the race, McLaren was late to call Norris into the pit lane for dry tyres and when he made the stop, Hamilton pulled ahead having pitted earlier.

The seven-time world champion then held on to take his first win in well over two years, doing so in front of his home crowd.

Mexico City Grand Prix

Norris’ chances of the F1 title were looking slim but the gap had been significantly closed compared to earlier in the season as the paddock descended on Mexico.

Verstappen took the lead of the race on the opening lap from pole-sitter Carlos Sainz while a dramatic crash occurred on the run to the first corner between Yuki Tsunoda and Alex Albon.

After the restart, Sainz retook the lead from Verstappen, who then came under pressure from Norris. Norris was forced wide on two occasions by his title rival, resulting in a duo of 10-second time penalties for the Red Bull driver.

Their brawl allowed Leclerc to slip through for second place and Ferrari looked to be on for a one-two finish before a mistake at the final corner gifted the runner-up spot to Norris.

Up front, it was all joy for Sainz who took what would be his final race win for Ferrari.

Sao Paulo Grand Prix

Heavy rainfall before the Sao Paulo Grand Prix plunged the afternoon into chaos – an aborted race start due to a formation lap spin for Lance Stroll caused a delay as Norris pulled off the line before a green light was shown.

Russell jumped Norris into the first corner when the race got underway, while further back, Verstappen was quick to make progress from 17th on the grid.

By the end of the second lap, Verstappen was already in the points. The rain intensified later on causing a red flag, with Alpine’s Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly, as well as Verstappen, not pitting.

At the restart, the trio led the way with Verstappen making quick work of Ocon. He then pulled out a near-20-second lead to the pack in a dominating drive to victory, putting one hand on the drivers’ championship in the process.

It marked a seismic result for ALpine who ended the race in second and third following a season full of horrors.