Now that a record Formula 1 season has come to an end there’s plenty left to review after 24 chaotic twists and turns of the calendar.
Eight teams will have new drivers, including Lewis Hamilton who faces a very difficult move to Ferrari to start a new chapter in his career.
Just McLaren and Aston Martin are the only teams with unchanged line-ups which should serve as an advantage. The continuity of their pairing will allow them to focus on improving their car and not on how comfortable any new driver feels in it.
A few faces are going to be left behind in 2024 including Sauber duo Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu, as well as Williams’ bright star Franco Colapinto.
He couldn’t find an opening on the Formula 1 grid for next season and it means that he will have to wait until 2026 at least for another full-time opportunity.
Finishing the season just seven points behind teammate Alex Albon having outperformed him at stages was still an excellent showing of what he can do and could do in the future.
Franco Colapinto set the fastest top speed of the 2024 F1 season
Colapinto suffered a disaster crash in qualifying for the Las Vegas Grand Prix where it looked like he may have been able to challenge for a strong position in Q3.
He pushed a little too hard though and found himself in the wall, handing his mechanics another major overhaul to complete before the race.
Before his mistake though, he managed to set the fastest top speed in qualifying of the 2024 season. He achieved a speed of 356.4km/h, some 3.5km/h quicker than his nearest rival Pierre Gasly.
READ MORE: Why RB are set to choose Isack Hadjar over Franco Colapinto even though he showed ‘nothing’ in F1 outings
In second place for the season with a speed of 353.5km/h, achieved at the Italian Grand Prix was Fernando Alonso.
Third place went to another driver who will be absent from the grid in 2025 as Daniel Ricciardo was recorded going 353.2km/h in Monza too.
Did Franco Colapinto deserve a Formula 1 seat for 2025?
Colapinto’s early performances were impressive and a reflection of just how high his confidence was from day one.
Things soon came crashing down to earth for him though and multiple mistakes saw him finish the season far less impressively than he started it in Monza.
Red Bull spotted red flags in negotiations for Colapinto and their interest soon fizzled even though he had a great shot at two seats with them at one stage.
READ MORE: The ‘fears’ Alpine had about Franco Colapinto that stopped him from getting a 2025 F1 seat
Now he’s behind both Albon and Carlos Sainz for the next two seasons and may be forced to wait until 2027 for another chance.
He’s yet to confirm what he’s going to do next year but it may involve a lot of testing, simulator work and travelling as he backs his team up in a reserve role.
