F1 experts name the most underrated drivers of 2024 including a Grand Prix winner

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Max Verstappen and Lando Norris dominated headlines in 2024 after fighting for the championship, causing some underrated Formula 1 drivers to creep under the radar.

The pinnacle of motorsport was blessed with an array of sensational showings this term that did not always get the praise the drivers’ deserved. While the eyes of the world watched the front of the field, those nearer the rear also enjoyed drives that occasionally flew unnoticed.

Even some of the biggest names on the Formula 1 grid did not always receive the praise that they deserved in 2024. The story was not always about Verstappen becoming a four-time F1 champion or Lewis Hamilton’s replacement at Mercedes, with the stakes high for each time.

F1 fans were blessed with a great midfield fight through much of the season as Haas replied to the second-worst season in the team’s history to fight Alpine and Visa Cash App RB in the constructors’ championship. Sauber also rallied to duck their first point-less year since 2014.

So, with that in mind, our expert team of writers at F1 Oversteer have offered their thoughts on who emerged as the outright most underrated Formula 1 driver during the 2024 season.

Lance Stroll’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix blunder does not overshadow his underrated season

Kyle Archer: “In no man’s land for most of 2024 were Aston Martin with the top four teams out of reach and the rest unable to catch the Silverstone crew in the constructors’ table. Yet Lance Stroll proved he is one of if not the most underrated drivers in Formula 1 this season.

“The Canadian is often cruelly overlooked as his billionaire father Lawrence Stroll owns the Aston Martin team and Lance is regularly claimed to only be in the car because of that. But the Montreal native respectably held up beside one of the great drivers, Fernando Alonso.

“Alonso did not dominate Stroll in their head-to-head battle the way that some may expect a two-time champion who extracts everything and more from his car could. Stroll was even a match for Alonso in F1 Sprint events as they bested each other 3-3 in qualifying and races.

“Stroll also regularly scored points during the first half of the season before rival teams put Aston Martin under greater pressure after the summer break. Alonso even claimed ‘many teams have done better than Aston Martin’ in 2024 after failing to maintain their position.

“And yet Aston Martin are told to sack Stroll if they want to improve, which was not helped by a difficult day in Brazil. Interlagos marked the darkest day of his year when Stroll crashed in qualifying and he beached his car on the formation lap at the 2024 Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

“But while it was a brainless blunder by Stroll to drive into the gravel trap in Brazil just after spinning on the formation lap, it does not overshadow the fact that he remains underrated. He may not claim race victories with a better car in 2025 but he is a key part of their team.”

Kevin Magnussen proved his worth, despite losing his Haas drive for 2025

Ben Evans: “The surprise package in the constructors’ championship this season were Haas after a miserable 2023. New team principal Ayao Komatsu got a lot of the credit, while Nico Hulkenberg’s fight to finish in the top 10 of the driver’s standings was also very impressive.

“However, their impact took away from the job Kevin Magnussen did alongside Hulkenberg. Magnussen upset Haas with his driving in Miami and managed to pick up enough penalty points to earn a one-race ban that handed Oliver Bearman his Haas debut in Baku.

“But the Dane’s form in the second half of the season was brilliant, scoring points in the Italian, Mexico City and Qatar Grand Prix. Although he won’t be on the grid next season, Magnussen will be high on some team’s lists if they need a stand-in drive in 2025.”

George Russell completely broke Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes without much applause

David Comerford: “While Jenson Button named George Russell in his top three drivers of 2024, few other pundits afforded the Briton that level of praise.

“Mercedes have almost exclusively been viewed through the lens of Lewis Hamilton’s woes. But this year showed the best version of Russell we’ve seen yet – a driver who looks more than ever like a potential Formula 1 champion.

“His qualifying margin to Hamilton was remarkable, and the drivers’ relatively small points difference in the standings was misleading. Russell completely broke Hamilton this season.

“Russell left the seven-time world champion implying that Mercedes were against Hamilton and suggesting he may not be fast anymore. That’s a testament to his teammate’s ruthless brilliance in a tricky car, with which he won the Grands Prix in Austria and Las Vegas.”

Pierre Gasly has proven he can lead Alpine alongside rookie Jack Doohan

Luke-John Buckle: “Pierre Gasly performed at a much more consistent level than his now former teammate Esteban Ocon this season and extracted more from the Alpine machine following the summer break as the French team also improved.

“Gasly was reliable and a key part of Alpine’s double podium finish at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, staying ahead of George Russell in an inferior car at the end of the race.

“Gasly may not drive for a top F1 team again but has shown all the hallmarks this season of a driver capable of leading Alpine alongside Jack Doohan. He has also capitalised on chaotic races such as in Qatar, taking fifth place while Ocon was caught in a first-corner incident.”