Lewis Hamilton Surprises by Winning Best...

Lewis Hamilton Surprises by Winning Best…read more

In an unexpected outcome, Lewis Hamilton has been named the best non-champion driver of 2024 in the annual GPFans end-of-year poll. Despite a challenging season where the seven-time world champion failed to match his previous dominance, Hamilton’s performance and influence resonated strongly with fans, securing him a victory in the voting. This marks a surprise twist, given the intense competition from other drivers, particularly Max Verstappen and the McLaren duo of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.

Max Verstappen once again emerged as the dominant force in Formula 1 during 2024, clinching his third consecutive drivers’ title. The Dutch driver’s performance this year was nothing short of spectacular, with many team principals and fellow competitors praising his consistency and skill. Verstappen’s achievement was even more impressive considering Red Bull, his team, finished third in the constructors’ standings, behind McLaren, who claimed the title for the first time since 1998.

While Verstappen’s dominance was clear, the poll sought to highlight the best non-champion driver of the year. A significant amount of attention was placed on the McLaren duo, who had an exceptional season. Lando Norris was particularly strong in the championship battle, finishing as the runner-up in the drivers’ standings, just behind Verstappen. Norris, along with his teammate Oscar Piastri, claimed their first-ever Formula 1 victories in 2024, with McLaren securing the constructors’ title after a sensational season.

However, despite the team’s success, neither Norris nor Piastri could clinch the top spot in the poll. Norris, who finished second in the championship, garnered an impressive 36% of the votes, but it was Hamilton who triumphed with 42%. This came as a surprise, as Hamilton’s 2024 season was marked by inconsistency and struggles with the Mercedes team, culminating in a seventh-place finish in the drivers’ standings. The Briton, who had endured one of his worst-ever seasons in terms of results, managed to secure two grand prix victories, marking the end of a significant win drought. Despite these victories, Hamilton’s overall season was far from the standard that had seen him dominate Formula 1 in the past, making his victory in the poll even more unexpected.

Hamilton’s popularity among fans was evident, as his experience, leadership, and longevity in the sport still commanded a strong following. With 42% of the vote, Hamilton surpassed Norris, with the McLaren driver finishing a distant second. Oscar Piastri, Norris’ teammate, finished much further down, receiving only 3% of the vote despite his own breakthrough performances in 2024.

As Hamilton prepares to leave Mercedes after a long and storied career with the team, his future remains a subject of great interest. The 39-year-old has made the move to Ferrari, where he will team up with Charles Leclerc in an attempt to challenge for the elusive eighth world championship that has long evaded him. Many see Hamilton’s switch to Ferrari as an opportunity for both the driver and the team to recapture past glories, with Hamilton’s wealth of experience and determination offering Ferrari a potential advantage in the coming seasons.

Leclerc, who had an outstanding season in 2024, finished third in the poll with 12% of the vote. The Monegasque driver claimed three victories during the year, equaling his best-ever tally in a single season. His performances were instrumental in helping Ferrari return to the upper echelons of the championship fight, and many feel that Leclerc could be poised for even greater success in the future.

Carlos Sainz, Leclerc’s teammate at Ferrari, finished fourth in the poll with 4% of the vote. Meanwhile, Mercedes’ George Russell, who had another solid but unspectacular season, ended up with just 3% of the vote, putting him in the same position as Piastri in the ranking.

In summary, the 2024 GPFans poll for best non-champion driver produced an intriguing and surprising result. While many expected McLaren’s Norris or Piastri to dominate the voting, it was Lewis Hamilton’s enduring popularity and influence that saw him take the crown, despite a less-than-ideal season. As Hamilton heads into a new chapter with Ferrari, it’s clear that his legacy remains strong, and his fans are eager to see him chase that elusive eighth world title. The 2024 season proved to be a year of surprises, and Hamilton’s unexpected win in this poll only adds to the intrigue as the sport moves into a new era with fresh challenges ahead.