Top 5 F1 drivers of the 2024 season
The 2024 F1 season is nearing its end. In a 24-race calendar, it's not only taxing for the drivers but the teams as well. What makes the whole thing even more challenging is the human tendency where the low points tend to catch the most attention while the high points sometimes don't.
It is imperative that in a season with this many races, the most important part has to be the ability to be consistent across the board. That's the key to success in these situations. With that being said, there are many drivers that have truly set themselves apart from the grid when it comes to their consistency.
There are others, however, who have struggled to keep up as well. In this feature, we are looking at the drivers who have set themselves apart from the rest of the field when it comes to putting together consistent performances. Who are the top 5 F1 drivers for the 2024 season? Let's take a look.
Note: To rank these drivers, we've taken the average driver ratings secured by each driver for every race and then arranged them accordingly.
5 Best F1 drivers this season
#5 Nico Hulkenberg (Average rating: 7.52)
At no.5 we have Nico Hulkenberg as a surprise entry but what has truly worked for the German this season has been the consistent ability to churn out one result after the other. The car is decent enough to get you consistently into points and that's what has been the goal of the German.
With Haas, the German has rediscovered a form that he had been unable to show for a while now.
#4 George Russell (Average rating: 7.62)
George Russell has been one of the drivers on the grid who probably don't get the shine they ideally should for the way they're dragging their cars to the respective results. The Mercedes driver has been the sole shining light for the team since the summer break, as his teammate has been miserable with the inability to understand what the car wants to do.
Russell finds himself P4 in the championship right now and has shown a remarkable improvement from the 2023 F1 season.
#3 Lando Norris (Average rating: 8.17)
Plenty would be surprised to see Lando Norris in P3. However, the reality of the matter is that while the driver should have done a better job this season and been a more serious contender, he has been severely limited by his team's calls as well.
McLaren's strategies during F1 races are not world-class, and that hurts the driver as well. With 3 F1 races left, Norris finds himself P3 in the standings.
#2 Charles Leclerc (Average rating: 8.17)
At P2 we have Charles Leclerc, who is marginally ahead of Lando Norris. The Ferrari driver has shown a marked improvement in one aspect this season and that is the ability to be more consistent while cutting out the mistakes. In 2022, when he first went up against Max Verstappen, he was not a complete package. Right now, he's getting closer and closer to being one.
#1 Max Verstappen (Average rating: 8.36)
At the top of the table is Max Verstappen, as the Dutch driver continues to be the benchmark and someone who everybody looks up to when it comes to seeking a level of performance that is the best on the grid.
The 2024 F1 season has not been as smooth and as mistake-free as the past two seasons have been, but the season has still been a level above what anyone else operates on in the F1 grid.