F1 Drivers Who Could Challenge Max Verstappen in 2024 

It’s fair to say that F1 drivers have recently struggled to compete with Max Verstappen. In fact, the three-time champion has consistently left every other driver in his dust over the past few years. 

Verstappen won 19 of the 22 races last year, smashing countless records along the way. However, the new season will bring fresh optimism to all the F1 drivers and teams, with revamped cars and fresh faces set to line up on the grid. 

So, which F1 drivers could prevent Verstappen from cruising to a fourth consecutive title in 2024? Read on to discover my outside picks for the upcoming season. 

Which F1 Drivers Could Dethrone Verstappen in 2024? 

Before we go any further, it is worth noting that Verstappen is the -400 favorite to win the 2024 World Drivers’ Championship. Since his closest challenger – Lando Norris – is priced at +700, Verstappen is likely to defend his crown. 

That said, we can’t predict the future. With countless variables at play in motorsport, F1 drivers and teams regularly dip in and out of form, making it difficult to construct an exact forecast of the season ahead. 

With that in mind, I have compiled a list of the F1 drivers who are most likely to challenge Verstappen in 2024. Ready? Let’s get this show on the road! 

Lewis Hamilton 

The first man on my list needs no introduction. Boasting seven world championships, 103 race wins, and 197 podiums, Lewis Hamilton is a bona fide Formula 1 legend. 

It is no secret that Hamilton and Mercedes have struggled to keep pace with Verstappen and Red Bull over the past few years. However, if Mercedes produces a competitive car this time, Hamilton can close the gap. 

Let’s not forget that Hamilton won six world championships in seven seasons between 2014 and 2020. If the 38-year-old can rediscover his title-winning form, Verstappen’s dominance will surely diminish. 

Lando Norris 

Lando Norris enjoyed a hugely impressive end to the previous campaign thanks to McLaren’s mid-season mechanical changes. As a result, the 24-year-old is the bookies’ second favorite to claim the title in 2024. 

Norris racked up seven podiums across the final 13 races last season, including six P2 finishes. Meanwhile, his McLaren teammate – Oscar Piastri – registered two podiums. 

There is a lot of hype around Norris and McLaren ahead of the 2024 season, following a strong end to 2023 for both the driver and the team. McLaren is expected to get closer to Red Bull this year, meaning Norris should put more pressure on Verstappen. 

Charles Leclerc 

Charles Leclerc finished second in the F1 Drivers Championship back in 2022, winning three races in the process. Still, the Ferrari driver finished a whopping 146 points behind Verstappen that season. 

Last year, Leclerc dropped to fifth place in the standings after experiencing an inconsistent campaign. However, the Monégasque ended the season on a high note, securing back-to-back P2 finishes in the final two races. 

In recent years, Leclerc and Ferrari have threatened to challenge Verstappen and Red Bull, but their inconsistency has let them down. If the driver and team can steady the ship, Leclerc could be a force to be reckoned with. 

Sergio Perez 

Since Sergio Perez drives the same car as Verstappen, it only makes sense to include him on my list of the F1 drivers who could challenge the reigning champ in 2024. That said, “Checo” will have to up his game if he wants to compete with his teammate. 

After winning two of the opening four races last year, Perez failed to taste victory again. Despite finishing second to Verstappen on four occasions in 2023, the Mexican registered 290 points fewer than the Dutchman. 

With six race wins and 35 podiums to his name, Perez certainly has what it takes to push for more success in 2024. However, the 33-year-old is not on the same level as Verstappen. 

2024 F1 Drivers Championship Outright Odds 

Now that you’re up to speed on the F1 drivers who could challenge Verstappen in 2024 let’s check out the latest outright odds. If you’re considering betting against Verstappen this year, you can take advantage of some tasty value. 

2024 F1 ODDS – WORLD DRIVERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP WINNER 

Unsurprisingly, Verstappen (-400) is the bookies’ clear favorite to triumph once again. In terms of my list, Perez (+2500) and Leclerc (+2500) have the biggest prices, followed by Hamilton (+1200) and Norris (+700). 

Other notable F1 drivers include Oscar Piastri (+2000), George Russell (+2500), Fernando Alonso (+4000) and Carlos Sainz (+4000). Considering what McLaren achieved during the second half of the previous campaign, I really like the look of Piastri’s odds. 

Verstappen’s eight nearest rivals are priced between +700 and +4000, while all the other F1 drivers are priced between +12500 and +100000. That tells you everything you need to know about the gulf between the best and the rest. 

When Does the 2024 F1 Season Start? 

The 2024 Formula 1 season is set to get underway on March 2, with the Bahrain Grand Prix kick-starting the campaign. That means we still have plenty of time to assess all the F1 drivers ahead of the new season. 

With a record 24 races on the 2024 F1 calendar, we are set for an exhilarating season of high-octane motorsport action. While the upcoming campaign will be a giant test for the F1 drivers and teams, it will be hugely entertaining for the fans. 

You can rest assured that Sports Hub will cover all the twists and turns throughout the year. Our team of expert handicappers will provide F1 picks and predictions for every race, giving you many opportunities to pocket some cash!