Rev Up Your Excitement: Ignite your F1 passion with our season preview—start your engines here

Another season of high-octane, nail-biting racing is just around the corner. That’s right, adrenaline junkies, we’re talking about the 2024 Formula 1 season.

Before we know it, the echoes of screeching tires, the rev of powerful engines, and the roars of cheering crowds will be the soundtrack heard around the world. Fresh faces and seasoned veterans alike will strap in, hit the tracks, and make history once again.

Keen to get in on the action this year? From a recap of the 2023 season to predictions for the 2024 season, we’ve rounded up the most important details you need to know to get stoked for this year’s F1 season.

A Year in Review: Recapping the 2023 F1 Season

A saga of strategy, skill, and surprise, the 2023 F1 season left fans around the globe breathless – and there was one name in particular on everybody’s lips: Max Verstappen.

The 26-year old Dutch Red Bull driver claimed titles left, right, and centre in 2023 – including his third World Driver’s Championship. Having achieved 53 career wins throughout the season, Verstappen set numerous records, including the most wins for a driver in a single season as well as the longest, unbroken sequence of victories. But one question remains: will his success continue in 2024? Keep reading for our predictions.

Verstappen wasn’t the only F1 driver creating memorable moments in 2023. France’s Esteban Ocon made achieved a historic feat when he secured the third-place position at the Monaco Grand Prix – the first time a French driver to grace the podium since 1996.

Despite a rocky couple of years, 2023 also marked the end of a pole position dry spell for one of the F1’s top drivers in history, Lewis Hamilton. Although he hadn’t secured a P1 since 2021, Hamilton managed to squeeze his way into the F1’s top starting position in Hungary, beating Verstappen by just 0.003 seconds. Talk about cutting it close.

Not to mention, Carlos Sainz put on quite a performance at the Singapore Grand Prix, claiming the #1 spot and thereby preventing Red Bull from scoring a victory in every race in the season.

Of course, these are just a few of the moments that made the 2023 F1 season so epic. From duels on the asphalt to unexpected podium finishers, this is a chapter in F1 history that won’t be forgotten.

2024’s Finest: Stand shoulder-to-shoulder with giants. See who’s racing to the top in Formula 1 this season.

The Favourites: Who Are the Top Contenders in the 2024 F1 Season?

Now that we’ve had a look at the past, it’s time to look towards the future. Namely, who are the biggest contenders to make a splash in the 2024 F1 season?

1. Max Verstappen

Without question, Max Verstappen is the top driver to watch this year. Since securing his first World Driver’s Championship in 2021, he’s been an unstoppable force of nature – and it seems more than likely that his winning streak will continue in 2024. But it’s still anybody’s game – and his competitors won’t be going down without a fight.

2. Lando Norris

One in particular who stands out as a fierce Verstappen challenger is McLaren’s Lando Norris. According to F1 Correspondent & Presenter Lawrence Barretto, Norris was the only driver “who genuinely challenged” Verstappen for a Grand Prix win “on pure pace”. Although he may not be quite ready to claim the top spot, Barretto predicts that this could be the year we see Norris on the podium.

Someone else who has acknowledged the risk posed by Norris and McLaren is Verstappen himself. He noted that McLaren’s progress in 2023 was “the most impressive” of all Red Bull challengers, adding that he believes the team will be “very strong” in 2024.

3. Lewis Hamilton

No list of top F1 contenders would be complete without Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton. With a sensational career under his belt – which includes seven World Driver’s Championship titles – Hamilton is full of resilience and rigour. Although he’s been experiencing an undeniable slump since his jaw-dropping loss to Verstappen in 2021 – Hamilton has proven that he’s not bowing out just yet. Plus, given that Hamilton is beginning a new two-year deal this season, hopes are high that he’ll enjoy a more reliable, drivable, and most importantly, faster car.

These are just a few of the names we think you’ll be seeing a lot of in the 2024 F1 season. But as for what truly lies ahead this season…only time will tell.

Who Will Show the Biggest Improvement in the 2024 F1 Season?

As Max Verstappen said himself, teams like McLaren showed massive gains in the 2023 season. But who will stand out as the most improved team in 2024? Let’s take a look at what we expect.

One team that made significant strides in 2023 was Aston Martin. While the team has yet to win a Grand Prix, there’s no doubt it is getting closer – so close that they may be able to cinch a victory in the 2024 season.

Spaniard Fernando Alonso managed to secure his position on the podium eight times throughout the season – a particularly impressive feat when you consider that it had only been done once before when Sebastian Vettel came in second at the 2021 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Heading into the 2024 season, Alonso is feeling confident that he and his team can achieve greatness.

Melbourne Grand Prix Awaits: Feel the race-day tension. Join us on the grid for an electrifying start!

Australian Grand Prix 2024: Events & How to Watch

Whether you’re hoping to watch from the comfort of your own home or experience the excitement firsthand, there are heaps of ways for you to watch the 2024 Australian Grand Prix. It is taking place from Thursday 21 March to Sunday 24 March 2024.

Tickets are available for purchase via the F1 website; you can buy one-day tickets (for Friday or Saturday) or a three-day pass, which grants you entry on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Keen to kick your experience into high gear? You can also explore a range of hospitality and hotel packages.

If you’d rather watch the 2024 Australian Grand Prix from your own lounge room, we totally get it – and there is list of streaming platforms perfect for you.

All live TV coverage of F1 in Australia is through Fox Sports; you can access this via Foxtel and Foxtel Now. You can also check out Kayo Sports, Australia’s all-in-one sports streaming service. It’s important to note that these are paid streaming services, so you’ll need to be prepared to shell out some cash if you want to make the most of them.

Alternatively, you can watch the 2024 Australian Grand Prix for free via Channel 10, 10 BOLD, and 10 Play.

Australian Grand Prix 2024 Winner Predictions

While we don’t know who’s going to come out on top, we have a pretty solid idea of who’s going to win the 2024 F1 season. Riding on the high of an unparalleled win streak, Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing is a force to be reckoned with. If you ask us, he’ll be celebrating 2024 by turning his three-year victory streak into a four-year victory streak.

Our prediction for second place is none other than Lewis Hamilton. Having claimed the #3 spot in last year’s competition, Hamilton is on an upward trajectory. While he may not have the horsepower to outpace Verstappen, signs are pointing to his success in securing the second step on the podium.

As for third place, we predict that Lando Norris of McLaren will climb the ranks and claim his first-ever podium position. The 25 year-old Brit is full of fervour and ambition; two traits we’re confident will push his career into overdrive in 2024. Important note: The contents of this article are purely speculative and should not be interpreted as claims made with certainty. The article should be consumed with the understanding that Formula 1 is, by nature, unpredictable.