4. Carlos Sainz Jr. – Ferrari
Championship final position: 5th
Number of wins: 2
Number of poles: 1
Early 2024 was anything but easy for Carlos Sainz. Even before the season began, the Spaniard learned that Ferrari -- a team he had been with since 2021 --would not retain him for 2025, following Lewis Hamilton’s blockbuster signing. To make matters worse, an appendicitis diagnosis early in the season forced him to miss the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Yet, Sainz cemented his hero status by claiming an incredible victory in Melbourne just days after undergoing surgery.
His second win came in Mexico, complemented by second-place finishes in Abu Dhabi and Austin, along with five additional podiums. Consistency and determination were the cornerstones of what became Sainz’s best season in Formula 1 to date.
However, 2024 may have been his last chance to shine for quite a while. With a move to Williams on the horizon for 2025, opportunities for victories and podiums are likely to be few and far between.
