Formula 1 Season 2024: Schedule, Betting Odds & Preview

Formula 1 (F1) is revving up for a record-breaking 24-race season with the Chinese and Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix set to return to the mix in 2024.

The F1 season will kick off in Bahrain on March 2 and continue on its high-octane journey until December 8, culminating in the electrifying finale at Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi.

In scheduling the races for 2024, F1’s management has made a conscious effort towards grouping events based on their geographical locations to reduce logistical burdens on the teams and ensure a more sustainable season.

Season Schedule

• Bahrain Grand Prix – March 2
• Saudi Arabian Grand Prix – March 9
• Australian Grand Prix – March 24
• Japanese Grand Prix – April 7
• Chinese Grand Prix – April 21
• Miami Grand Prix – May 5
• Emilia Romagna Grand Prix – May 19
• Monaco Grand Prix – May 26
• Canadian Grand Prix – June 9
• Spanish Grand Prix – June 23
• Austrian Grand Prix – June 30
• British Grand Prix – July 7
• Hungarian Grand Prix – July 21
• Belgian Grand Prix – July 28
• Dutch Grand Prix – August 25
• Italian Grand Prix – September 1
• Azerbaijan Grand Prix – September 15
• Singapore Grand Prix – September 22
• United States Grand Prix – October 20
• Mexican Grand Prix – October 27
• Brazilian Grand Prix – November 3
• Las Vegas Grand Prix – November 23
• Qatar Grand Prix – December 1
• Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – December 8

Drivers’ Championship Betting

Max Verstappen ruled the 2023 F1 season from the outset, and he clinched the drivers’ championship with weeks to spare.

His Red Bull team mirrored his success, securing the constructors’ championship with equal dominance.

With the season-opening race in Bahrain on the horizon, Verstappen is odds-on favourite to repeat his dominance in the 2024 campaign.

• Max Verstappen – 1.20
• Lewis Hamilton – 12.00
• Lando Norris – 15.00
• Charles Leclerc – 21.00
• George Russell – 23.00
• Sergio Perez – 26.00
• Oscar Piastri – 41.00
• Fernando Alonso – 41.00
• Carlos Sainz – 67.00
• Daniel Ricciardo – 251.00
• Alex Albon – 501.00
• Lance Stroll – 1001.00
• Pierre Gasly – 1001.00
• Esteban Ocon – 1001.00
• Yuki Tsunoda – 1001.00
• Valtteri Bottas – 2001.00
• Zhou Guanyu – 2001.00
• Nico Hulkenberg – 2001.00
• Kevin Magnussen – 2001.00
• Logan Sargeant – 2001.00

Season Preview

The 2024 F1 season could deliver an epic championship battle, with Verstappen gunning for a fourth consecutive title and Lewis Hamilton determined to dethrone the reigning champion.

However, the bookmakers fancy Verstappen to retain the championship, with odds of 1.20 reflecting his dominance.

Red Bull was in a class of its own in 2023, winning 21 of the 22 races. However, a 10 percent wind tunnel testing reduction has cast a shadow on their upcoming season, potentially giving rivals a chance to close the gap.

Verstappen was untouchable in 2023, setting a record 19 wins, so it is unsurprising that he has been backed to come out on top again this year.

His rare qualifying stumbles were eclipsed by his race-day brilliance, displaying maturity and consistency to cement his position as the sport’s current top driver.

However, the same cannot be said for his team-mate Sergio Perez, whose Red Bull career is hanging by a thread after he scored half as many points as Verstappen.

The Mexican retained his seat for the new season but remains on thin ice, with several respected pundits suggesting he could be replaced when his contract expires at the end of the year.

With potential options thin on the ground, Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo could be the man who benefits if Red Bull sever ties with Perez.

Ricciardo is currently with Red Bull’s sister team Scuderia AlphaTauri and will be eager to demonstrate he is capable of partnering Verstappen next season.

This factor makes him an intriguing proposition from a betting perspective, particularly in race markets such as ‘top six finish’ or ‘top ten finish’.

Punters who typically favour wagering on horse racing may now find themselves drawn to F1 this year, with Ricciardo’s odds on Australian betting sites to secure points finishes likely to be tempting.

Mercedes will also head into the new season with a point to prove having failed to register a single race victory during the previous campaign.

Hamilton will undoubtedly have his eye on the grand prize and a chance to cement his place in the history books as the driver with the most World Drivers’ Championship titles.

The British driver currently has seven to his name – the same as Michael Schumacher. Setting a new benchmark would be the perfect way to end his time with the German team.

Hamilton recently announced he is joining Ferrari for the 2025 season. This came despite signing a two-year extension with Mercedes, leading many people to believe he would see out his illustrious F1 career there.

However, the British driver exercised a break clause which allowed him to leave the team early, sending shockwaves throughout the F1 world and beyond.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has admitted he does not know who will replace Hamilton, but Mercedes remains focused on a strong championship challenge this season.

Despite their winless 2023 season – a first in their modern F1 era – they secured more podiums than the previous year and finished second ahead of Ferrari in the constructors’ championship. Hamilton ended the season as the best non-Red Bull driver.

The season opener in Bahrain is crucial for every driver as a strong showing can propel momentum for the rest of the season, and the same goes for the following race in Saudi Arabia.

However, the Australian GP is a unique challenge with its bumpy surface and often slippery track, which rubbers in as the session progresses.

Success here demands a well-balanced chassis, particularly for the sharp turns where drivers need a responsive front end.

While Melbourne boasts one of the fastest circuits on the calendar, it is familiar territory for Hamilton, who clocked a blistering pole lap average exceeding 235 km/h in 2019.

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