Following each Grand Prix in 2024, we will be evaluating and ranking each team based on their performances in both qualifying and the race, as well as considering their involvement in the intricate political landscape outside the racing arena.
This exercise aims to provide a comprehensive view of each team’s season, encompassing all aspects of their campaign.
Here’s the ranking of F1 teams following the 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix:
1. Red Bull Racing: Red Bull once again dominated both qualifying and the race, with Max Verstappen showcasing superior performance over Sergio Perez.
The RB20 displayed exceptional straight-line prowess, outperforming Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari, with the DRS gains proving vital for Red Bull’s victory.
Off the track, the ongoing Christian Horner saga continued, now focusing on Helmut Marko’s future. Despite the uncertainty, Red Bull’s stability ensured their top position in the rankings.
2. Scuderia Ferrari: Ferrari’s performance in the Saudi Arabian GP was ultimately disappointing, failing to edge out Red Bull in qualifying. Charles Leclerc faced challenges with oversteering on new tires during the Friday night session, impacting their qualifying position.
Although Leclerc managed to outperform Perez, he couldn’t contend with Verstappen’s dominance in the race. However, Oliver Bearman’s seventh-place finish in Carlos Sainz’s SF-24 added to Ferrari’s achievements.
3. McLaren: McLaren’s balanced and excellent performance by both drivers, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, secured them a strong position in the rankings. Piastri’s fourth-place finish and Norris’s skillful driving contributed to McLaren’s success.
Despite Norris’s start eagerness causing a brief concern, the team managed to avoid penalties and maintain a competitive edge throughout the race.
4. Mercedes: Mercedes faced challenges with relatively poor qualifying performances by George Russell and Lewis Hamilton.
Russell’s pursuit of Alonso throughout the race showcased Mercedes’ potential, but the team couldn’t capitalize on it due to issues faced by their rivals. Hamilton demonstrated a strong pace on mediums but struggled to overtake Norris on softs.
5. Haas F1 Team: Haas displayed resilience, scoring their first point of the year despite initial setbacks during qualifying.
Nico Hulkenberg’s strategic decision not to stop under the safety car and Kevin Magnussen’s efforts in holding up rivals contributed to their success. Despite Magnussen’s penalties, the team’s overall performance was commendable.
6. Aston Martin: Despite Fernando Alonso’s superb qualifying performance, Aston Martin faced challenges in the race. Lance Stroll’s crash early in the race hindered their overall performance, impacting team morale. While Alex Albon managed to finish near the points, the team couldn’t achieve a higher ranking due to Stroll’s incident.
7. Williams: Williams’ performance was overshadowed by Magnussen’s tactics during the race. Although both drivers, Nicholas Latifi and Logan Sargeant, faced challenges, the team’s overall performance was deemed neutral. However, Williams aims for more progress from Sargeant in his second year.
8. Alpine: Alpine showcased a more positive showing compared to the previous Grand Prix. Despite both cars being out in Q1, Esteban Ocon’s 13th-place finish reflected some progress. However, Pierre Gasly’s retirement due to a gearbox problem highlighted areas of improvement for the team.
9. AlphaTauri: AlphaTauri faced challenges with Daniel Ricciardo’s performance falling short in qualifying compared to Yuki Tsunoda. While Tsunoda battled during the race, Ricciardo’s late spin didn’t significantly impact the team’s overall performance.
The team’s CEO’s presence at the event underscored the pressure on AlphaTauri to deliver better results.
10. Sauber: Sauber experienced setbacks, with Zhou Guanyu’s crash in FP3 affecting their qualifying performance. Despite their mechanics’ efforts to repair the car, Zhou missed qualifying, further impacting their race strategy.
Although Valtteri Bottas faced challenges with long pit stops, the team received a boost with news of Audi’s accelerated takeover ahead of their 2026 F1 entry.
