Las Vegas Grand Prix: Max Verstappen closes in on fourth F1 title

As we approach the end of the Formula One season, Max Verstappen is very much in the driving seat to secure his fourth title in a row.

The calendar takes the world’s best drivers to Las Vegas this weekend and after finally winning again in Brazil a fortnight ago, the Red Bull driver has a healthy points lead with just three races left.

It’s a measure of just how good Verstappen is that he went 10 races without winning and nobody was able to catch him. What’s scary for the rest of the grid is that he’s unlikely to endure a repeat of his bad form in 2025.

However, in Lando Norris, Formula One has found a worthy challenger. The British driver has excelled this year, with three wins and a further 12 podiums, and he’s established himself as a clear title contender in the future.

Barring a miracle, he won’t take Verstappen’s throne this time around. But after three years of the ‘Max Verstappen show’, it’s a relief that he finally has some competition and the pair are set to resume their competitive rivalry in Las Vegas on Sunday.

The race for the title

Verstappen finally got back to winning ways last time out as he finished first in Brazil two weeks ago. The reigning champion uncharacteristically went 10 races without winning but he put an end to his disappointing form with a long-awaited victory.

The win edged Verstappen further ahead of Norris in the standings. The Brit had been steadily making ground but he wasn’t able to capitalise enough, only winning two races during Verstappen’s sticky patch.

Norris did get four other podium finishes in the time but he only managed to finish sixth in Sao Paulo. He remains more than 60 points behind so it’s unlikely that he’ll claim his first F1 title this year. Verstappen appears to be back on form and he’ll want to end the season in style, having won the final seven races a year ago.

Elsewhere, Charles Leclerc is breathing down Norris’ neck having won two of the last six races, with another two podiums. The pair have been models of consistency this year – the British Grand Prix, nine races ago and way back in July, was the last time either of them finished outside the top five.

In his final year racing for Mercedes before switching to Ferrari for the 2025 season, Lewis Hamilton had hoped to mount a late charge for a record eighth title. But those dreams disappeared a while ago.

A mid-season flurry that had seen him win at Silverstone and in Belgium, while claiming third in Spain and Hungary, had given him faint hope. But it didn’t last long – the 39-year-old has achieved no podiums since and he’s slipped down to seventh in the standings.

F1 standings after 21 races

PositionDriverTeamWinsPodiumsPoints
1Max VerstappenRed Bull813393
2Lando NorrisMcLaren312331
3Charles LeclercFerrari311307
4Oscar PiastriMcLaren27262
5Carlos Sainz JrFerrari27244
6George RusselMercedes13192
7Lewis HamiltonMercedes24190

Las Vegas Grand Prix

Next up on the Formula One calendar is the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Sin City’s inaugural race took place last year and it’s set to return to the iconic streets, with parts of the unique night race taking place along the Vegas strip.

The race takes place this Sunday, 24th November, with Verstappen looking to come out on top for the second year running. There’s still time to take your seats in our exclusive hospitality area on the breathtaking Drai’s Las Vegas rooftop.

As well as unrivalled views of the race, you’ll get the chance to experience all this:

●      Access to Vista Terrace viewing with track view
●      Access to lower deck viewing circle and Drai’s nightclub
●      Hosted service, food stations, canapés and cheese station
●      Complimentary bar with Champagne, local beers, wine and spirits
●      TV in your private suite

Enquire today to reserve your place.

What’s next?

Following the Las Vegas Grand Prix, we head to the Middle East for the final two races of the 2024 season. First up is Qatar on Sunday 1st December before the final race of the year in Abu Dhabi a week later.

Verstappen won both races back in 2023 and if he repeats history, he’ll finish the year with a fourth consecutive F1 Drivers’ Championship.

If you’d like to join us to watch either of the final two races in style, we’d love to help make that happen. Our travel and concierge team are on hand to help you get to either the Qatar Grand Prix or the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where you can enjoy the action from the best seats in the house with our exclusive hospitality packages.

Can McLaren pull off an upset?

The Mexican Grand Prix on Sunday saw Carlos Sainz take his second victory of the season marking the 20th race of the 2024 Formula 1 Campaign. The Spaniard took the win over McLaren’s Lando Norris to win vital points for Ferrari in the Constructors’ title race. The result means with only four races to go, it is all to play for. Here at Engage we take a look at how the rest of the season may pan out.

A great race and a vital win for Ferrari saw them close the gap on McLaren but Mexico certainly wasn’t without its drama. Three-time World Champion, Max Verstappen, finished in 6th place after he was awarded a 10-second time penalty for two separate incidents involving Lando Norris.

It was the second consecutive week the pair had clashed after an incident the week prior in the US when Norris tried to overtake Verstappen and both ended up off the track. The incident in Mexico only added fuel to the fire for an already bubbling rivalry, with Damon Hill describing Verstappen’s racing as like Wacky Races’ character ‘Dick Dastardly’. The spat saw Verstappen’s lead in the Drivers’ Championship over Norris go down to 47 points with four races to go.

Who will win the Drivers’ Championship?

Max Verstappen’s dominance from last season seems to be a thing of the past this year, however, he still leads the way with seven victories. There have been seven different winners this year across 20 races this season, suggesting the playing field is levelling out compared to his 19 wins last year, an astonishing record.

Lando Norris is in hot pursuit of the Dutchman as the Brit tries to claim his first ever World Championship, however, with at least 12 points per race more needed to surpass Verstappen, is it just out of his reach?

Norris is closely followed by Charles Leclerc with the pair tied on 3 wins while Norris’ teammate Oscar Piastri and Carlos Sainz round up the top 5 with two victories.

The title race is certainly closer than last year and it’s safe to say if Norris can get substantial points this weekend in Brazil, the last three races will be gripping.

Who will win the Constructors’
Championship?

There is a three-way battle for the Constructors’ Championship with Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull all in the race for the title. Red Bull find themselves in third place on 512 points, a far cry from their comfortable victory in 2023 where they won by an astonishing margin of 451 points. With seven wins in 2024, all courtesy of Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez risks his future in the team as the Mexican has only 4 podiums in 2024. Perez, who finished 17th in his home race on Sunday, may see his Red Bull career coming to an end.

After Carlos Sainz took victory on Sunday and Charles Leclerc finished third, Ferrari saw both drivers take to the podium finding themselves in 2nd place with four races to go. The team in red have been quietly consistent this year with 5 victories and 18 podiums in 2024. For their efforts they have gained 537 points and certainly hold a good position going into the last four. Could they win their first title since 2008?

However, leading the way is McLaren. The team consisting of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, lead the Constructors’ with 566 points. McLaren haven’t won the title since 1998 and after a 26 year absence at the top, they will be looking to change that narrative. With 5 wins and 19 podiums, they are certainly looking likely to do it, but can they hold on with only four races to go?

Next Up

So will Verstappen defend his title? This weekend the F1 heads to Brazil as drivers will battle it out to gain points for themselves and their team. Will we see more drama as Norris and Verstappen go head-to-head? Or will their rivalry prove too much for the pair to handle, opening up the opportunity for Ferrari to snatch the Constructors’ title?

It’s safe to say all three teams will be cautious of a possible upset if Verstappen and Norris carry their spat into the final four races, something Ferrari will definitely be looking to take advantage of.

Fancy finding out for yourself how the final races will pan out? Check out Engage Hospitality’s brilliant Formula 1 packages to watch the rest of the season live from Brazil, Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi! Don’t worry if you can’t make the rest of the 2024 campaign, after the battles of this season, Formula 1 in 2025 is about to be a cracker. Next year marks the 75th anniversary of Formula 1 and Engage have you covered for every single race! Don’t miss it!

Can Norris overtake Verstappen in Formula One final straight?

The Formula One season is heating up and with just six races to go, the pressure is on Max Verstappen as he looks to secure a fourth title win in a row. Lando Norris is his likeliest challenger following a phenomenal season so far.

The latest Grand Prix took place in Singapore over the weekend and for the second time in four races, Norris finished first as Verstappen could only claim second place. With the final race of the season set to take place in Abu Dhabi in just under 10 weeks, here’s everything you need to know about the final months of the 2024 F1 season.

The story so far

After winning 18 of the 21 races in 2023 on his way to a third consecutive Drivers’ Championship, Verstappen picked up where he left off to start this season. The Red Bull star won seven of the opening 10 races and another title seemed inevitable.

Yet a drop off in form combined with stronger competition has seen his lead at the top lessen. Verstappen’s last win came in the Spanish Grand Prix back in June and he’s without a win in seven races, with only two podium finishes in that time.

In the meantime, the British drivers have been enjoying themselves, with Norris and Lewis Hamilton claiming four of the last seven races between them. Since our last update, four races have taken place, with Norris coming out on top in two of them.

The McLaren driver triumphed in the Netherlands, finishing more than 22 seconds ahead of Verstappen, while Charles Leclerc made up the podium. Hamilton had started to show a bit of form and would have had dreams of an unlikely comeback but his chances are all but over having finished eighth, fifth, ninth and sixth in his last four outings.

Leclerc was the victor in Italy, with Oscar Piastri second, while Norris took third place and condemned Verstappen to yet another race without a podium finish. That trend continued in Azerbaijan where Piastri and Leclerc swapped places in the top two and George Russell came third.

The drivers headed to Singapore over the weekend and with Verstappen starting to look over his shoulder in the standings, it was the perfect opportunity for Norris to pounce. And he didn’t disappoint, storming to victory ahead of his rival, with Piastri securing another place on the podium.

F1 standings after 14 races

PositionDriverTeamWinsPodiumsPoints
1Max VerstappenRed Bull711331
2Lando NorrisMcLaren311279
3Charles LeclercFerrari29245
4Oscar PiastriMcLaren27237
5Carlos Sainz JrFerrari15190
6Lewis HamiltonMercedes24174

Can Verstappen be caught?

While Verstappen is still sitting pretty at the top of the standings, his lead is rapidly decreasing by the week. He now finds himself just 52 points clear of Norris and risks throwing away a fourth consecutive title if he’s unable to get back to winning ways.

However, with six races to go, he’ll be confident of reproducing last year’s performances in the remaining races. In a phenomenal end to the 2023 season, Verstappen won all of the final seven races after failing to triumph in Singapore.

Those seven wins included races in the USA, Mexico, Brazil, Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi, all of which are still to come before the end of the year. But he’s not the same driver at the moment and the pressure of Norris in his rearview mirror could scupper his hopes.

Norris’ best-ever Formula One final finish is sixth but he looks set to obliterate that this season and could still pull off the ultimate comeback before the year is out. While Verstappen has form at each of the remaining tracks, Norris does too and finished on the podium in Qatar, the USA and Brazil in 2023.

There’s still an enormous gap to make up but he’s been slowly closing that in recent weeks and if he can continue his trajectory, a few more slip-ups from Verstappen could make for an incredibly entertaining final few weeks of the season.

Why is there a summer break?

The Formula One season has been paused for a hiatus that’s set to last for almost a month. The break in the racing calendar gives everyone involved, from racers to staff, a much-needed opportunity to rest and recharge.

The first half of the campaign has been a gruelling affair, with 14 races packed into just 21 weeks. As well as the intense competitiveness of each grand prix, there’s also been a huge amount of travelling. Teams have been flying across the globe to compete ever since the season kicked off in Bahrain in March, with races in the likes of Australia, Japan, Miami, Canada and throughout Europe.

The relentless racing and travel often takes a toll on all involved, so the break ensures everyone can take a step back, relax on the beach and spend some time with their friends and family.

While some of the break will be used to make plans for the rest of the season, it also includes a mandatory 14-day ‘summer shutdown’ for all teams. During this period, all teams must completely down tools, with no meetings allowed and no work on improving car performance permitted.

Only essential maintenance and servicing can take place, which ensures that everybody gets an equal amount of time off and nobody gains an unfair advantage. Failure to comply with the shutdown regulations can result in severe punishments.

When are the final six races?

While it feels like the 2024 Formula One season has only just begun, we only have six races left. That means you’ve only got six more opportunities to enjoy the action from the best seats in the house.

Whether you fancy a trip across the pond to the USA, a Brazilian adventure or a trackside seat at the curtain-closer in Abu Dhabi, we’ve got you covered. Join Engage and take advantage of our exclusive hospitality experiences, with food, drinks and plenty more on offer. Enquire today to book your place.

Ultimate Guide to Goodwood 2025: Festival of Speed and more!

Dress your best and rev your engines because Goodwood’s events are back for yet another year of entertainment. Renowned as England’s greatest sporting estate, its extensive list of events throughout the year make it a highlight on the Engage calendar. From car fanatics to horse racing enthusiasts this West Sussex estate has something for everyone. Here at Engage, we take a look at Goodwood’s 2025 events as well as all of the fantastic hospitality options that Engage offer!

After a brilliant weekend at Goodwood Revival 2024 celebrating historic motor racing, iconic fashion, immersive experiences and much more, it comes to an end for another year. Here at Engage, it was our pleasure helping you to find the best place to watch the action. We had a brilliant time and we hope you will be back for more in 2025!

You may want to try a different Goodwood event or just want to stick with Goodwood Revival 2025? Either way, we have got you covered providing the best seats in the house for you to watch all of the Goodwood action!

Goodwood Festival of Speed 2025

First up on the Goodwood 2025 events calendar is the Goodwood Festival of Speed. This famous weekend attracts car fanatics from all over the country and is a brilliant event that can be enjoyed by all. Meet the stars of Formula 1, WRC and MotoGP as they all come together with nonstop events all weekend.

Highlights of Goodwood Festival of Speed include the famous Hillclimb race, the Forest Rally Stage and the Off-Road Arena. However, it’s not just motorsports on show, explore the delicious cuisine, fabulous exhibits as well as the world-renowned Red Arrows often making an appearance.

With plenty of activities throughout, it is the perfect weekend for everyone to enjoy. Taking place in the middle of July, come along to this beautiful West Sussex estate and immerse yourself in the action, spectating some of the most astonishing machinery ever made.

Qatar Goodwood Festival

More of a horse racing fan? Perhaps Qatar Goodwood Festival 2025 is more your piece of cake. Taking place from the 29th July until the 2nd August 2025, globally known as ‘Glorious Goodwood’ is one of the highlights in the flat racing season. This iconic five day festival offers scintillating racing, excellent hospitality and fabulous fashion with visitors encouraged to dress in a smart and elegant way depending on your hospitality enclosure.

With a brilliant array of fashion on show, racing fans from all over the UK will assemble at the famous estate and stake their bets on the horses at the beautiful Goodwood Racecourse. Action will be spread over five days with a non-stop timetable of thrilling action.

Famous winners include Ryan Moore, Frankie Dettori, Andrea Atzeni and more! Trust us, you don’t want to miss this! Check out Engage’s fantastic hospitality options for this exciting weekend in both The Long View and The Final Furlong serving delicious food, stunning atmospheres and the perfect view to see your favourites!

Goodwood Revival 2025

Don’t worry if you missed Goodwood Revival this time around, it will be back once again in September 2025 with Engage offering even more hospitality in order to make your good weekend outstanding!

From old-fashioned motorcars to historic air displays, indulge in the action and delve into British history with everyone taking part in the historic theme. Embracing the style from the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s, visitors wear clothes from that era with famous faces on show to celebrate and encourage the vintage manner.

With some of the most iconic names from the past taking part the festival lasts 3 days, as racing cars from the 1950s and 1960s have been driven by the likes of Sir Stirling Moss, John Surtees, Damon Hill, Martin Brundle and more.

After what was another fantastic 2024 event, the 2025 event is expected to be even better! So why not check out Engage’s amazing hospitality options once again including Salvadori Pavilion, Goodwood Mess, Commanding Officers Table and Officers’ Club.

So whether you want to enjoy the cars and glamour of the mid-20th century, revel in a five day festival of modern machinery or spectate some spectacular flat-racing, Goodwood is just the place for you! Check out Engage’s fantastic hospitality options for each event including Goodwood Festival of Speed, Qatar Goodwood Festival and Goodwood Revival in 2025!

Competitive rivalries

While the ambition to win as many titles as possible was undoubtedly the primary goal fuelling Hamilton’s success, it’s fair to say that he may not have been pushed to perform at his very best without the various rivalries he’s shared on the track.

Throughout different periods of his career, Hamilton has been involved in intense conflicts with the likes of Vettel, Rosberg and Verstappen. In fact, the 2016 season that saw Rosberg take the crown ahead of Hamilton culminated in a monumental final battle in Abu Dhabi, before the German surprisingly announced his retirement.

In recent years, Hamilton has enjoyed a rivalry with Verstappen, who has established himself as the world’s best by winning the last three F1 titles. The pair have engaged in countless clashes and their competitiveness resulted in a contentious crash at the 2021 British Grand Prix.

Everything you need to know about Salon Privé Blenheim

Start your engines, car fans – it’s almost time for this year’s Salon Privé Blenheim!

Car lovers from near and far are set to flock to Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire for a four-day celebration, which has been taking place for more than two decades. The prestigious event officially gets underway on Wednesday 28th August, culminating in the grand finale of ‘Supercar Saturday’.

If you’re planning on joining us, why not enjoy the week in style? With our exclusive hospitality packages, you can take a look at the best cars the world has to offer before taking advantage of a complimentary bar and gourmet food.

We have two different packages available – The Glass House and Spencer. Both offer delicious dining experiences, a champagne reception, afternoon tea and access to the gorgeous grounds of Blenheim Palace. Enquire today to reserve your place.

With beautiful cars, stunning surroundings and plenty of awards to look forward to, here’s everything you need to know about Salon Privé Blenheim.

‘MotorAvia’ – Tuesday 27th August

While Salon Privé Blenheim officially gets underway on the Wednesday, the fun actually kicks off the night before. Head to London Oxford Airport for a Jet Centre party where you’ll be able to see the best new aircraft from the likes of Boeing Business Jets, as well as the latest Bell helicopters.

Plus, you’ll be able to whet the appetite for the week ahead with a preview of the Concours cars. With a live DJ to keep attendees entertained as well as gourmet food and a bar, proceedings are guaranteed to get started in style.

Day 1 – Wednesday 28th August

The opening day of the prestigious event immediately gives the lucky guests an early view of the Concours cars. They’ll be able to meet the owners, find out more information about the vehicles and pick out their favourites ahead of the awards.

Later in the day, the Concours Awards Parade will take place and the awards will be handed out. As ever, if you take advantage of our exclusive hospitality packages, you’ll be able to enjoy the day with a glass of champagne or two and some incredible food.

Day 2 – Thursday 29th August

The fun continues on Thursday and while day one was all about the classic cars, the following day is all about supercars, with guests given the chance to see the brand-new models from the likes of Aston Martin, Lamborghini and Rolls Royce for the first time, to name just a few.

If that’s not enough, the awards continue on day two. You’ll be able to catch a glimpse of the Honorary Awards parade, plus you can enjoy the ‘Best of Show’ ceremony.

Day 3 – Friday 30th August

Salon Privé Blenheim is as classy as it comes and while all eyes will be on the cars, guests love to look at their best as well. Friday is all about style, with attendees traditionally expected to dust off their best threads and dress to impress.

Ladies are encouraged to wear elegant hats, headpieces or fascinators. While it’s not as prestigious as winning a Concours Award, some lucky fashionistas will be honoured in the traditional ‘Best Hat’ competition.

Day 4 – Saturday 31st August

Day four is the final day of the event but it is by no means the least. Dubbed ‘Supercar Saturday’, some of the finest automobiles on the planet will be spread across both the north and south lawns at Blenheim Palace.

In fact, more than 1,500 privately-owned sports, super and hyper cars will be on display for all the car enthusiasts to take a peak at. Plus, the Salon Privé club trophy will be paraded on the final day.

Salon Privé dress code

As Salon Privé Blenheim is a classy event, guests are expected to look presentable. However, the organisers also understand the need for comfort when walking around all day. Those in attendance should wear dressy yet relaxed clothes – there’s a desire for them to look sophisticated without being too formal.

Gentlemen are encouraged to wear a comfortable suit or a blazer with chinos. Ladies should don chic, comfortable daywear, with items including summer dresses, trousers and jumpsuits suggested. They’re also advised to avoid stiletto heels due to the gravel paths and lawns.

Women and guests dressed up colourfully at the Salon Prive at Blenheim Palace. Photography by Chris Cooper/ ShotAway/ www.ShotAway.com/ #shotawaydotcom

How to get there

Blenheim Palace is located in Woodstock, a town just eight miles from Oxford. For those driving, the palace is signposted from Junction 9 of the M40 – just take the A44 Evesham Road.

For those travelling by train, the closest railway station is Hanborough, which is just three miles away. Oxford and Bicester stations are also not too far away and both benefit from regular services from London Paddington and Marylebone.

What happens during the Formula One mid-season break?

With 10 races to go in the 2024 Formula One season, we’ve reached the summer break, with drivers given a month off to recharge their batteries.

The season will resume at the end of August with the Dutch Grand Prix so to fill the void until then, we’ve taken a look at how the season has gone so far and explained how the summer break works.

The story so far


There have been two F1 races since our last update, which had seen Max Verstappen hit a sticky patch having looked to have been running away with the title. Sadly for the reigning champion, that sticky patch has continued.

He failed to win either of those two races, which took place in Hungary and Belgium. First up, Australian youngster Oscar Piastri raced home to win in a race that saw the Brits do well, with Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton third.

Then in Belgium, Hamilton followed up on his record-breaking win at the British Grand Prix with his second win in three races. The Mercedes star was promoted to first after teammate George Russell was disqualified for having an underweight car. Verstappen was once again nowhere to be seen on the podium, with Piastri second and Charles Leclerc in third.

F1 standings after 14 races

PositionDriverTeamWinsPodiumsPoints
1Max VerstappenRed Bull79277
2Lando NorrisMcLaren18199
3Charles LeclercFerrari16177
4Oscar PiastriMcLaren14167
5Carlos Sainz JrFerrari15162
6Lewis HamiltonMercedes24150

Why is there a summer break?

The Formula One season has been paused for a hiatus that’s set to last for almost a month. The break in the racing calendar gives everyone involved, from racers to staff, a much-needed opportunity to rest and recharge.

The first half of the campaign has been a gruelling affair, with 14 races packed into just 21 weeks. As well as the intense competitiveness of each grand prix, there’s also been a huge amount of travelling. Teams have been flying across the globe to compete ever since the season kicked off in Bahrain in March, with races in the likes of Australia, Japan, Miami, Canada and throughout Europe.

The relentless racing and travel often takes a toll on all involved, so the break ensures everyone can take a step back, relax on the beach and spend some time with their friends and family.

While some of the break will be used to make plans for the rest of the season, it also includes a mandatory 14-day ‘summer shutdown’ for all teams. During this period, all teams must completely down tools, with no meetings allowed and no work on improving car performance permitted.

Only essential maintenance and servicing can take place, which ensures that everybody gets an equal amount of time off and nobody gains an unfair advantage. Failure to comply with the shutdown regulations can result in severe punishments.

Who will benefit from the summer break?

While all teams will welcome the summer break as an opportunity to relax, some drivers may find it more beneficial than others. Verstappen will be grateful for the hiatus – he’s failed to win any of the last four races despite coming out on top in seven of the first 10.

He remains in pole position to win his fourth consecutive Drivers’ Championship but his loss of form is worrying and he risks losing his way if he doesn’t turn things around soon.

In contrast, the summer break has arguably come at a bad time for Hamilton after winning two of the last three races. In fact, in the last six races the 39-year-old has won two, finished third twice and finished fourth twice. His best finish in the eight races before that was sixth.

Hamilton likely would have been keen to continue building momentum ahead of the season’s home straight. He’s finally back in form and while he remains a long way behind Verstappen, if their performances continue in the same vein then he may have his sights on securing a record-breaking eighth title before he moves on to Ferrari at the end of the year.

The break will be welcome for Sainz Jr, the man who Hamilton is replacing next season. The Spaniard has slipped down the standings in recent weeks and he needs to find a way to get back onto the podium. He remains fifth but with just one podium finish in the last six races, he’s allowed Piastri to leapfrog him, with Hamilton not too far behind.

Similarly, Leclerc hasn’t had the best time of late and Ferrari will be hoping, like Sainz Jr, that he can return from the break with a new lease of life. The 26-year-old finished third in Belgium last time out but he failed to finish in the top 10 in both Austria and at Silverstone.

F1 schedule

Dutch Grand Prix– Sunday 25th August
Italian Grand Prix– Sunday 1st September
Azerbaijan Grand Prix– Sunday 15th September
Singapore Grand Prix– Sunday 22nd September
United States Grand Prix– Sunday 20th October
Mexican Grand Prix– Sunday 27th October
Brazilian Grand Prix– Sunday 3rd November
Las Vegas Grand Prix– Sunday 24th November
Qatar Grand Prix– Sunday 1st December
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix– Sunday 8th December

Formula One: Can Lando Norris challenge Max Verstappen?

We’ve reached the halfway stage of the Formula One season and it’s business as usual with Max Verstappen seemingly running away with it once again.

But there’s plenty of action to look forward to and Lando Norris has ambitions of launching a phenomenal bid to stop three-time champion Verstappen in his tracks.

F1 standings after 12 races

PositionDriverTeamWinsPodiumsPoints
1Max VerstappenRed Bull79255
2Lando NorrisMcLaren17171
3Charles LeclercFerrari15150
4Carlos Sainz JrFerrari15146
5Oscar PiastriMcLaren02124

Can Verstappen be caught?

If you’ve been following our regular F1 updates throughout the season, it’ll come as no shock to discover that Verstappen is still sitting pretty at the top of the standings.

The Red Bull superstar has won three consecutive titles and looks on course to add a fourth to his collection in 2024. He dominated the track last year, winning 19 of the 22 races. And while the wins have been shared out a tad more this time around, he’s still managed to come out on top in all but five races so far.

We’re only halfway through the season, meaning there’s plenty more action to come and anything could happen in the second half of the campaign. Despite that, it seems incredibly unlikely that Verstappen will surrender his lead.

The 26-year-old is already more than 80 points clear of Norris in second and it would take a catastrophic collapse for him to throw it away from here. Yet stranger things have happened and the chasing pack will still fancy their chances.

One thing that could offer them a glimmer of hope is what could be considered as a rare weakness for Verstappen. While he’s no stranger to winning races, he’s starting to make finishing further down the field a habit when things don’t quite go his way.

He’s finished sixth and fifth in two of the last five Grands Prix, when he would’ve expected to be on the podium. And with the likes of Norris starting to show consistency in his top three finishes, he may sense an opportunity to capitalise on Verstappen’s rare mistakes.

We’re only halfway through the season so there’s still a lot of action to look forward to, with 12 races to go. Next up we head to Hungary next weekend, followed by the remaining European races. From there we’ll have races in Asia and both North America and South America to enjoy, before heading to Qatar and Abu Dhabi for the final Grand Prix of the season.

Hamilton rolls back the years on home soil

It’s fair to say that Lewis Hamilton isn’t quite the force he once was in Formula One. The 39-year-old started the season with faint hopes of eclipsing Michael Schumacher to claim a record eighth title.

Yet after a slow start to the campaign, his championship hopes are all but over for another year. Before the British Grand Prix at the weekend, Hamilton had only broken the top three once this year, finishing third in Spain.

But muscle memory, nostalgia and a roaring home crowd spurred him on at Silverstone to help him win his first race of the season. Hamilton finished ahead of Verstappen to win the British Grand Prix for a record ninth time.

In fact, it was his first Grand Prix win since coming out on top in Saudi Arabia back in 2021. Verstappen struggled with the rain throughout but made a late charge and had leader Hamilton in his sights after edging ahead of Norris.

But Hamilton held him off to win by 1.4 seconds, giving him a day he’ll never forget. The Mercedes driver finds himself way down in eighth in the standings and a title win this year is as unlikely as ever. Yet his performance at Silverstone was a reminder of what he’s capable of and it may just light the fire that could see him finally become the undisputed greatest of all time before he decides to call it a day.

Norris emerges as a contender

While British F1 fans have spent years backing Hamilton, it seems there’s a new kid on the block. McLaren driver Norris is enjoying a remarkable year and finds himself second in the standings.

He achieved a best-ever finish of sixth last year but he’s well on track to better that and looks in good shape to push Verstappen all the way. Aged just 24, he’s a bright hope for the future and could establish himself as a regular contender.

Norris is currently 21 points clear of third-placed Leclerc having achieved seven podium finishes already this season. He claimed his first ever Grand Prix win in Miami back in May, which was sandwiched in between two second-place finishes.

Everything you need to know about the British Grand Prix

We’re edging towards the mid-point of the Formula One season, which can only mean one thing – the British Grand Prix is just around the corner. As the flagship event in British motorsport returns, thousands of racing fans will flock to Northamptonshire hoping to catch a glimpse of the best drivers in the world.

Max Verstappen finally won here in 2023 and he’s the favourite to do so again as he targets another championship-winning season. But he’ll have plenty of competitors looking to stand in his way, with a trio of British stars ready to pounce on any mistakes.

This year’s British Grand Prix takes place on Sunday 7th July, with qualifying on the Friday and Saturday. Ahead of the action, here’s everything you need to know.

The F1 season so far

After racing to glory last year, Verstappen is targeting a fourth consecutive Formula One title. He’s currently on top after another blistering start to the campaign, although it hasn’t been quite as one-sided as before.

Yet Verstappen has still won seven of the 10 races so far, including the most recent two in Canada and Spain. This time last year he’d won eight, so he’s not exactly slowed down, although he appears to have stronger competition this time around.

Carlos Sainz Jr and Charles Leclerc have won a race apiece, as has Lando Norris, who claimed his first ever Grand Prix victory in Miami last month. Next up is Austria, before the British Grand Prix returns to Silverstone next weekend. Verstappen won it for the first time last year and he’s looking to secure back-to-back wins in the iconic British race.

Can a British driver win on home soil?

There’s a decent chance – but they’ll need Verstappen to have an off day. A trio of British drivers have been showing solid form of late. Norris’ maiden win in Miami was just reward for his strong start to the campaign. The McLaren star has five other podium finishes so far, including second place in each of the last two races.

The most recent Grand Prix took place in Spain and following up Norris in second was Lewis Hamilton in third and George Russell in fourth. Russell came third the week before in Canada, while it was Hamilton’s first podium finish of the year.

The eight-time champion is coming into form at the right time if he wants to claim a record ninth British Grand Prix win. Hamilton is looking to win at Silverstone for the first time since 2021 but he’ll face stiff competition, particularly as Verstappen appears to have put a rare lapse behind him that saw him uncharacteristically finish way back in sixth in Monaco a month ago.

Hospitality at the British Grand Prix

We’re set for yet another thrilling weekend at Silverstone next weekend and if you fancy being part of the action, you can enjoy the race from the best seats in the house. Once again, our ICON facility offers unrivalled views of the track. Our exclusive hospitality package brings you up close, giving you grandstand seats with views of the Maggots and Becketts combination as well as the expanding hairpin of Aintree, leading into the Wellington Straight.

You’ll be treated like royalty in our exclusive suite, with breakfast on arrival, a gourmet lunch and afternoon tea, as well as a full complimentary bar and snacks throughout the day. Plus, you won’t miss a second of the action, with TV screens throughout the facility, a personal Silverstone radio and an official programme.

Guests will also be treated to a VIP hostess service, guest speakers from the world of F1, prize draws, competitions and plenty more. As well as our ICON facility, we also offer four other hospitality suites to cater to your needs. If you want to enjoy a day at the racing with a little bit of luxury, enquire today to book your place for the British Grand Prix.

Dress code

The dress code at Silverstone is fairly relaxed as we appreciate it can be a long day and the weather is normally pretty warm (fingers crossed!). Guests are encouraged to dress in smart casual wear, with no ripped denim, sportswear or sports trainers allowed.

How to get to Silverstone

For those driving from the north, Silverstone is around an hour south of Birmingham. From the M1, take the A43 dual carriageway and follow the signs. Similarly, from London, take the M40 and then A43 – it’s around a 90 minute journey from the capital. Car parks open up to half an hour before the gates open.

If you’re coming by public transport, Wolverton is the closest train station and offers direct services to and from London Euston, Birmingham New Street and Northampton. Wolverton is around 10 miles away from the track – bus and taxi services are available.

Formula One: Leclerc and Norris chase Verstappen

The Formula One season is well underway now and while Max Verstappen is still sitting pretty at the top of the standings, he’s under more pressure than he’s been used to in recent years.

The reigning champion has won five of the opening eight races but he’s in unfamiliar territory of late, having failed to win two of the last three. Since our last update, we’ve had three races, with action taking place in Miami, Emilia Romagna and Monaco.

The top five remains the same but the order has shifted a bit, with wins for Charles Leclcerc and Lando Norris edging them up the standings.

F1 standings after eight races

PositionDriverTeamWinsPodiumsPoints
1Max VerstappenRed Bull56169
2Charles LeclercFerrari14138
3Lando NorrisMcLaren12113
4Carlos Sainz JrFerrari13108
5Sergio PerezRed Bull02107

Norris finally claims first Grand Prix victory

As the grid revved their engines on the Miami Grand Prix start line just over three weeks ago, it was unlikely that McLaren driver Norris could foresee the elation that would come his way a few hours later.

Having come close so many times before and bearing the unfortunate record for the most podium finishes without a win, he finally broke his hoodoo. Norris’ 16th podium finish saw him come top of the pile, winning in Miami and finishing 7.6 seconds clear of the imperious Verstappen.

It was his first Formula 1 victory in 110 attempts and a combination of skill and good timing helped him on his way. As McLaren chose to delay pitting Norris, the safety car was called in for a crash on lap 29. This allowed Norris to make a stop while the rest of the field were travelling at a reduced speed.

Taking advantage of the timely safety car, Norris returned to the track to extend his lead, fighting off the challenge of Verstappen to claim victory. It was only McLaren’s second win in the last 12 years, the last being Daniel Ricciardo at Monza in 2021.

Leclerc continued his strong start to the campaign to claim third, while the rest of the top five was familiar, with Perez and Sainz Jr recording respectable finishes.

Verstappen bounces back in Italy

The next stop on the F1 tour was Emilia Romagna, with the Grand Prix returning after being cancelled last year due to flooding from heavy rain. Having missed out in Miami two weeks before, Verstappen got back to winning ways – but only just.

The Red Bull superstar finished less than a second clear of second-placed Norris, who is enjoying a strong run of form. Verstappen is targeting a fourth consecutive F1 championship and he claimed his fifth win from the opening seven races of the season.

A late charge from Norris almost saw the Brit claim a remarkable second successive win but Verstappen held on. Meanwhile, Leclerc claimed third place again to climb to second in the standings with his third podium finish of 2024.

Leclerc takes advantage of rare Verstappen shocker

Formula One returned to Monaco over the weekend and there was barely a dry eye among the watching spectators as Leclerc raced home to win in his hometown. The Ferrari driver grew up in Monaco and dreamt of competing along the roads he walked on.

And in his first ever win on the iconic course, he continued his strong season by claiming his maiden victory of the campaign. Leclerc came second in the championship back in 2022 and he’s looking to win the title for the first time this time around.

The 26-year-old secured Ferrari’s second win of the season, finishing seven seconds clear of Australian driver Oscar Piastri. Sainz Jr made up the podium once again, while Norris and Russell completed the top five.

In a rare off day for Verstappen, he only managed to finish sixth, just ahead of Lewis Hamilton. His lead at the top of the standings is now 31 points and while there’s still a long way to go, this year is looking like it may well finish a lot closer than his dominance last time out.

What’s next?

As we edge towards the midway point of the season, the British Grand Prix is just around the corner. The famous race returns to Silverstone on Sunday 7th July and you can enjoy the action from the best seats in the house with Engage’s exclusive hospitality packages.

Before that, there are a few more races to look forward to first. Next up is Canada on Sunday 9th June, before we head back to Europe for races in Spain and Austria. Verstappen will be desperate to get back into form in the coming races but if recent results are anything to go by, it won’t be a surprise if Leclerc and Norris can pick up a few more wins in the near future.

The 2024 Formula One season so far

The Formula One season is well and truly underway and not much has changed since last year, with superstar Max Verstappen trouncing the opposition once again. He’s won every race he’s finished so far and has left his rivals with a lot of work to do to stop him.

Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton’s final season for Mercedes hasn’t started as he would have liked. Can he turn things around? Here’s everything you need to know so far from the opening five races of the 2024 F1 season.

F1 standings after five races

PositionDriverTeamWinsPodiumsPoints
1Max VerstappenRed Bull44110
2Sergio PerezRed Bull0485
3Charles LeclercFerrari0276
4Carlos Sainz JrFerrari1369
5Lando NorrisMcLaren0258

After sweeping all before him last year, Verstappen has a fourth consecutive championship in his sights. The Red Bull driver has picked up where he left off, starting every race in pole position and winning four of the opening five contests.

The Belgian-born superstar started in style in Bahrain, winning by 22 seconds and claiming the fastest lap. Stablemate Perez followed up in second while Sainz Jr completed the podium.

Verstappen then won the second race in Saudi Arabia but couldn’t make it three in a row as he was forced to retire in Australia, allowing Sainz Jr to claim his first win of the season. Having reported brake issues after just two laps, Verstappen managed one more lap before a brake failure saw him drop out of the race.

Lewis Hamilton also finished early, dropping out after 15 laps due to a power issue. Leclerc came second in the grand prix down under, while British driver Norris raced home in third.

Not one to let a disappointment affect his next outing, Verstappen bounced back as the championship headed to Asia. He came out on top in both Japan and China to claim four of the opening five races.

Can anyone stop Verstappen?

So, after five races, Verstappen is sitting pretty at the top of the pile, 25 points clear of Perez in second. There’s still a long way to go, with another 19 races scheduled, but at the moment it looks like nobody is going to stop him.

He won the title in 2021, 2022 and 2023 and is on the hunt for his fourth on the trot. Last year, Verstappen won 19 of the 22 races and his strong start to the 2024 season means he’s now won 32 of the last 38. He’ll be looking to continue his fine form as the championship goes to Miami this weekend.

Trio of drivers in Verstappen’s rearview mirror

While Verstappen has got a good head start, there are three drivers in particular that will still very much fancy their chances of toppling him. Sainz Jr won in Australia and has also claimed two other podium spots so far.

The Spaniard sits in fourth at the moment but his performance down under shows he’s got the quality to capitalise when needed. He’s targeting his first F1 title and looking to beat his best ever finish of fifth.

Perez currently sits in second with four podiums so far, including a hat-trick of second-place finishes. He knows Red Bull teammate Verstappen well and will be aware of any of his weaknesses (if he even has any!).

He finished second in the standings last year, winning two of the opening four races, and he’ll be desperate to go one better this time around.

Finally, Leclerc finished fifth last year and currently finds himself third, sandwiched between Perez and Sainz Jr. He came second back in 2022 and is also targeting a maiden title – the Ferrari man is yet to finish lower down than fourth in a Grand Prix this season.

Hamilton outshone by British rivals

Hamilton is targeting a record eighth Formula One title and has previously said he won’t call it a day until he edges past Michael Schumacher in the all-time standings. Yet based on his start to the 2024 season, he may have to wait another year.

He’s in his final year with Mercedes, having agreed to join Ferrari for the 2025 season, but his hopes of a sixth title while representing them are quickly fading. Hamilton was forced to retire in Australia and in the other four races, his best finish was seventh in the opener in Bahrain.

The 39-year-old has finished ninth in each of the other three and has been outshone by his rival drivers from the UK. He currently sits below both Norris and Russell in the standings, who have beaten him in every grand prix so far. Once the shining light of British racing, Hamilton has a lot to do if he wants to turn things around this season.

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