The 2024 Formula 1 Season Reversed: A New Perspective on the Championship Battle

The 2024 Formula 1 World Championship has been a season full of dramatic twists, unexpected rivalries, and thrilling moments that kept fans on the edge of their seats. It’s been a true battle of wits and mental strength, demonstrating that in Formula 1, machinery alone isn’t enough to claim the ultimate glory. Max Verstappen, though maintaining an early lead, was put on the back foot for much of the season. With McLaren and Ferrari quickly becoming formidable opponents, Lando Norris appeared poised to take the title. However, in the end, consistency proved to be the key, and Verstappen clinched his fourth World Championship.

But what if the entire season had been reversed? In this article, we’ll invert the races and see how the 2024 Formula 1 season would have looked if the calendar was run backwards. For this, we’ll take artistic license to accommodate driver changes and transfer deals that occurred throughout the season. Ultimately, while the final results remain unchanged — Max Verstappen still walks away as the Drivers’ Champion, and McLaren still secure the Constructors’ Championship — this alternate perspective offers a unique way to understand how the title battles shifted throughout the year.

The Reversed Starting Grid: Abu Dhabi Opens, Bahrain Closes

In this reversed timeline, the season begins with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and ends with the Bahrain Grand Prix. The stage is set in Abu Dhabi, where the defending champion, Max Verstappen, is attempting to defend his crown with Red Bull. However, a key piece of information plays into this new narrative: Adrian Newey, Red Bull’s famed technical genius, is set to depart at the end of the season. This looming departure sets up what could be Red Bull’s final chance to grab both titles under their current structure.

Lewis Hamilton, in a shocking twist, announces that 2024 will be his final year with Mercedes before moving to Ferrari in 2025. This creates a sense of urgency for Hamilton and Mercedes as they aim to claim one final title before his departure. Meanwhile, George Russell is looking to solidify himself as the future of Mercedes. At Ferrari, Charles Leclerc is eager to mount a serious title challenge, with Carlos Sainz knowing that his time with Ferrari will be cut short.

McLaren, having enjoyed a major performance boost in 2023, are poised for a breakthrough. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri both start the season as serious contenders for their maiden F1 win. Aston Martin, led by Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll, are aiming to recreate their early-season form from 2023, though behind the scenes, team owner Lawrence Stroll is making moves to lure Adrian Newey from Red Bull.

Abu Dhabi: Norris Takes an Early Lead

As the 2024 season gets underway in Abu Dhabi, the field isn’t as it seemed in the real season. Verstappen and Red Bull struggle with their one-lap pace, leading to a disastrous start. Verstappen wipes out Piastri on the opening lap, and Sergio Pérez is taken out by Valtteri Bottas. This gives Norris a clear path to victory, and he delivers McLaren’s first win of the season.

Behind him, future teammates Leclerc and Hamilton battle their way up from poor qualifying positions to finish in third and fourth, respectively. Alpine and Haas, two teams that have made significant strides in their development, also show strong performances. With Norris taking the win and Ferrari looking strong, the title battle seems wide open.

Qatar: First Driver Change and McLaren Domination

In Qatar, the first major driver change occurs. Alpine, after a lackluster performance from Jack Doohan, demote him back to reserve and rehire Esteban Ocon. The first sprint race of the season sees McLaren dominate with a 1-2 finish, although Norris suffers a mysterious power loss just before the line, allowing Piastri to take the sprint win. The main race is filled with drama, as Verstappen’s pole position is negated due to a controversial penalty.

Despite the challenges, Verstappen eventually wins the race, joined on the podium by Leclerc and Piastri. Norris, though initially competitive, recovers to finish tenth. As a result, Ferrari gains the upper hand in the Constructors’ Championship, while Leclerc takes the lead in the Drivers’ Championship.

Las Vegas: Mercedes Stuns with Russell Victory

The Las Vegas Grand Prix sees Mercedes finding their rhythm on the low-grip, low-temperature track. Russell seizes pole position and claims his first win since 2022, while Hamilton fights his way from a poor starting position to finish second. The McLaren team, however, falters, and Ferrari is left chasing their competitors.

Russell’s win propels him into the Championship lead, with Verstappen and Norris falling behind. Ferrari, though still competitive, loses ground as McLaren struggles to maintain their earlier form. This sets the stage for an intense battle between the three top teams — Ferrari, McLaren, and Mercedes — with only a handful of points separating them.

São Paulo: Verstappen’s Wet-Weather Masterclass

The Brazilian Grand Prix in São Paulo features a heavy rainstorm that drastically shifts the dynamic of the race. Max Verstappen, showing his prowess in wet conditions, delivers one of his most impressive drives, coming from 17th on the grid to win the race. Ferrari struggles in the rain, suffering from multiple crashes and poor strategy calls, while Alpine makes significant strides, with Ocon securing second and Gasly finishing in third.

Verstappen’s victory elevates him to the top of the Drivers’ Championship, but with Leclerc and Norris not far behind, the battle for the title tightens. In the Constructors’ standings, Ferrari extends their lead over McLaren, but the championship is far from decided.

Singapore: Ricciardo’s Return, Norris Takes Victory

In Singapore, another driver change takes place, with Liam Lawson being replaced by Daniel Ricciardo after Lawson develops a series of attitude problems. Lando Norris, finally finding his rhythm again, takes pole and wins the race, despite several near-misses throughout the weekend.

Verstappen, though competitive, struggles to match Norris’s pace, and Piastri falls behind. Ferrari and Mercedes are off the pace, while Aston Martin continues to languish in the midfield. Norris’s victory pushes him back into contention, and McLaren gains significant ground in the Constructors’ Championship.

Monza: Leclerc Triumphs on Home Turf

At the Italian Grand Prix in Monza, Leclerc claims a victory in front of the Tifosi, with Norris and Piastri providing a strong challenge. The race proves to be pivotal, as Leclerc gains crucial points in his battle for the title. McLaren, who had dominated earlier in the season, falters at Monza, and Ferrari’s strong showing means Leclerc takes the Championship lead.

With Verstappen struggling in the midfield, it’s clear that the battle for the title is now a three-way fight between Leclerc, Norris, and Verstappen. McLaren still holds a significant lead in the Constructors’ Championship, but Ferrari has closed the gap.

Spa: Hamilton Wins, But Russell Is Disqualified

At the Belgian Grand Prix in Spa, Hamilton finally claims a win he can savor after a dramatic race that saw him fend off Verstappen in the closing laps. Despite a strong showing from McLaren, it’s Hamilton who comes out on top. However, in the post-race scrutineering, Russell is disqualified for a car weight infringement, leaving Hamilton to celebrate a bittersweet victory.

Ferrari’s strategy falters, and McLaren suffers another disappointing weekend. Norris’s lead in the Championship narrows, and the title race enters its final phase with just a handful of points separating the top contenders.

The Final Stretch: Norris Holds On for the Title

With just a few races remaining, Norris, Leclerc, and Verstappen are neck-and-neck in the Drivers’ Championship. The battle goes down to the wire as McLaren holds on to their lead in the Constructors’ Championship. Ultimately, Norris’s consistency and resilience allow him to maintain his title lead and secure the 2024 World Championship, while Verstappen and Leclerc fall just short.

McLaren’s victory in the Constructors’ Championship marks a monumental achievement for the team, as they edge out Ferrari and Mercedes. Verstappen’s dominance throughout the season was undeniable, but in this alternate timeline, it was Lando Norris who took the crown.

Conclusion: A Season of What-Ifs

Inverting the 2024 Formula 1 season gives us a fresh perspective on the year’s title fight. The key moments that defined the season — Verstappen’s wet-weather mastery, Ferrari’s strong performances, and McLaren’s rise — are all still present, but with a new twist. In the end, while Max Verstappen still claims the Drivers’ Championship and McLaren the Constructors’ title, this reversed season highlights the unpredictable nature of Formula 1 and the critical role that strategy, consistency, and mental fortitude play in a successful championship campaign.

In a season where every point mattered, this alternate reality offers a fascinating view of what might have been. And as the 2024 season fades into history, we’re reminded that in Formula 1, anything can happen — whether the season runs forwards or backwards.