Four in a row for Verstappen but change is in the air

LONDON : Red Bull's Max Verstappen will have led the Formula One standings for more than 1,000 days by the start of next season but 2024 suggested the quadruple world champion's reign is at risk.

The longest of campaigns saw seven different drivers each win at least two of a record 24 races and those same hopefuls are now looking hungrily at what could be an even more competitive 2025.

Verstappen won nine times, less than half his record 2023 haul of 19, and what started predictably enough with seven wins in the first 10 rounds became a thriller as he went 10 without success.

After Verstappen's unprecedented 10 wins in a row in 2023, no driver managed to win more than twice in succession.

McLaren, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri taking their first wins in Miami and Hungary, ended Red Bull's supremacy with a first constructors' title in 26 years and the pair are now ready to fight for the drivers' crown.

"Next year is going to be my year too," declared Norris after taking the final chequered flag to triumph from pole position in the Abu Dhabi season-ender and finish overall runner-up with four wins.

"I made my mistakes this year, but I've learned a lot, and I've learned a lot from Max and my competitors around me. As much as I'm happy now, I'm excited to get next year going," added the Briton, who clashed on track with Verstappen.

HAMILTON TO FERRARI

In a year of driver changes, Lewis Hamilton announced his future in February.

His hopes of a record eighth title, controversially snuffed out by Verstappen in 2021, could be reignited at Maranello as he switches from Mercedes to Ferrari as a replacement for Carlos Sainz.

Hamilton will be 40 by the time he races again, and his long goodbye brought the curtain down on F1's most