Exclusive, Max Verstappen is accused of stealing the Formula One championship. Charles Leclerc deserves to win last season.
The 2024 Formula One season was one of the most controversial in recent memory, with Max Verstappen once again clinching the title under circumstances that many fans and analysts deem questionable. However, the debate has now escalated, with accusations surfacing that Verstappen’s championship victory was “stolen” from Charles Leclerc. Ferrari’s Monegasque driver delivered an exceptional performance throughout the season, yet he found himself on the losing end due to factors beyond his control.
In this deep dive, we will analyze the key events of the season, the allegations against Verstappen and Red Bull, and why Charles Leclerc was the rightful champion in the eyes of many.
A Season of Controversy: What Led to the Accusations?
The 2024 season had everything: nail-biting finishes, unexpected rule changes, and, most importantly, a battle between two of the sport’s most talented drivers. While Verstappen secured his fourth consecutive title, the circumstances surrounding his victory raised eyebrows.
1. Questionable FIA Decisions Benefiting Red Bull
One of the most significant talking points of the season was the FIA’s handling of key incidents involving Verstappen. Several controversial penalties—or lack thereof—seemed to favor the Dutchman at crucial moments.
- Brazil Grand Prix: Verstappen made contact with Leclerc during a heated battle for the lead, forcing the Ferrari driver off the track. While many expected a penalty, the stewards deemed it a racing incident.
- British Grand Prix: A late safety car gave Verstappen a strategic advantage, allowing him to pit and overtake Leclerc on fresher tires—an eerily similar scenario to the 2021 Abu Dhabi controversy.
These incidents led fans and analysts to question whether the FIA was indirectly assisting Red Bull’s dominance, either through inconsistent stewarding or favorable regulations.
2. Red Bull’s Budget Cap Scandal Resurfaces
The controversy surrounding Red Bull’s budget cap breach from 2021-2022 seemed to persist into 2024. Reports suggested that despite the FIA imposing minor penalties, Red Bull’s financial advantage continued to play a role in their dominance.
- Ferrari and Mercedes team principals expressed frustration over the lack of transparency regarding Red Bull’s spending.
- Technical developments on the RB20 appeared to surpass those of other teams despite the cost cap restrictions.
- Christian Horner, Red Bull’s team principal, dismissed the allegations, calling them “excuses from teams that didn’t perform well enough.”
If Red Bull had indeed found loopholes in the cost cap regulations, it would raise further questions about the legitimacy of Verstappen’s championship.
Leclerc’s Incredible Season: Why He Deserved the Title
Despite Ferrari’s inconsistent strategies and occasional reliability issues, Charles Leclerc had arguably his best season yet. Here’s why many believe he should have been crowned champion:
1. Superior Qualifying Performances
Leclerc established himself as the best qualifier on the grid, securing the most pole positions throughout the season. His ability to extract maximum performance from the Ferrari SF-24 was unmatched, often outperforming Verstappen on Saturdays.
- Leclerc secured 10 pole positions, the most in the season.
- His qualifying lap in Monaco was widely regarded as one of the best of the decade.
- Ferrari’s race pace was often lacking, yet Leclerc managed to fight for podiums and victories.
While Verstappen’s Red Bull was consistently faster on Sundays, Leclerc’s raw speed and one-lap pace demonstrated that he was the most talented driver of the season.
2. Strategic Failures Costing Leclerc Crucial Points
Ferrari’s strategic blunders have become infamous, and 2024 was no exception. Multiple races saw Leclerc lose out due to questionable decisions from his pit wall:
- Hungarian Grand Prix: Ferrari opted for hard tires in high temperatures, leading to a dramatic loss of pace while Verstappen cruised to victory.
- Japanese Grand Prix: A late pit stop call dropped Leclerc from P2 to P5, denying him crucial points.
Had Ferrari executed a flawless strategy throughout the season, Leclerc could have amassed enough points to beat Verstappen.
3. Mechanical Failures and Unlucky DNFs
While Verstappen’s RB20 was nearly bulletproof, Leclerc faced multiple reliability issues that cost him dearly.
- Azerbaijan GP: An engine failure while leading the race.
- Canadian GP: Power unit failure in Q3, forcing him to start from the back.
- Dutch GP: suspension failure, resulting in a DNF.
These incidents highlight that Leclerc’s performance was not the primary reason he lost the title—external factors beyond his control played a massive role.
The F1 Community Reacts: Calls for Change
Following the controversial end to the season, social media erupted with calls for reform in F1’s governance. Fans, journalists, and former drivers voiced their opinions:
- Lewis Hamilton: “The sport needs consistency in decision-making. Too many questionable calls this season.”
- Sebastian Vettel: “If a driver wins because of external factors rather than pure talent, it’s a failure of the system.”
- Martin Brundle (Sky Sports F1): “We need clarity on how rules are enforced. It shouldn’t feel like favoritism exists.”
Even Ferrari’s team principal, Fred Vasseur, hinted at dissatisfaction, stating that “some races felt like they were out of our hands, not because of our performance but due to decisions outside our control.”
What Needs to Change?
With so many question marks surrounding the 2024 season, F1 must take steps to ensure fair competition moving forward.
- Transparent FIA Decision-making The FIA needs to address concerns regarding stewarding inconsistencies and provide clear justifications for their rulings.
- Stricter Budget Cap Enforcement: Any violations should result in severe consequences, not minor financial penalties.
- Equal Treatment of Teams: Every team should receive fair and consistent enforcement of the rules, eliminating any perceptions of favoritism.
Final Verdict: Did Verstappen Truly Deserve the Title?
While Verstappen is undoubtedly one of the greatest drivers of his generation, the circumstances of the 2024 championship raise serious doubts about the fairness of his victory. Between FIA controversies, Red Bull’s potential budget cap loopholes, and Leclerc’s misfortunes, the season’s outcome feels far from a level playing field.
Charles Leclerc showcased immense skill, resilience, and determination. If the external factors had been different, he might have been the one lifting the trophy in Abu Dhabi. Whether Verstappen “stole” the title or was simply the beneficiary of external advantages, one thing is certain—Formula One’s integrity is once again under scrutiny.
As we look ahead to the 2025 season, all eyes will be on the FIA, Red Bull, and Ferrari. Will the sport learn from its mistakes, or will history repeat itself? Only time will tell.
