Champion elimination alternative championship

[Meatwad]

This could be down to 8 cars next year unless Red Bull fire Checo so Lawson goes in the Alpha Tauri instead of Danny Ric! (If it stays as per current contracts then Alpine will be the only team with 2 cars).

I really miss the 15-car grid we had when I started updating this in 2012... It's pretty sad when there aren't enough cars to fill the points-scoring positions.


Norris retired early in Las Vegas, giving the others a chance to shine. Ocon took his fourth win of the season with Stroll finishing second (continuing his recent more impressive performances) and Piastri third (also setting the fastest lap).

2023 (After twenty-one races):

Norris 408 (10 wins, 4 2nd, 1 3rd)
Gasly 309 (2 wins, 5 2nd, 2 3rd)
Stroll 299 (4 wins, 4 2nd, 3 3rd)
Piastri 282 (1 win, 4 2nd, 6 3rd)
Ocon 263 (4 wins, 3 2nd, 3 3rd)
Tsunoda 196 (2 3rd)
Zhou 181 (1 3rd)
Magnussen 141 (2 3rd)
Sargeant 113 (1 3rd)
De Vries 56 (best result: 5th)
Lawson 50 (1 2nd)

[Meatwad]

In Abu Dhabi, Norris takes another win, meaning that he won as many races in 2023 as all the other drivers combined. Piastri finishes second with Tsunoda third. Fastest lap was set by Stroll.

Final standings for 2023:

Norris 433 (11 wins, 4 2nd, 1 3rd)
Gasly 317 (2 wins, 5 2nd, 2 3rd)
Stroll 312 (4 wins, 4 2nd, 3 3rd)
Piastri 300 (1 win, 5 2nd, 6 3rd)
Ocon 273 (4 wins, 3 2nd, 3 3rd)
Tsunoda 211 (3 3rd)
Zhou 185 (1 3rd)
Magnussen 143 (2 3rd)
Sargeant 119 (1 3rd)
De Vries 56 (best result: 5th)
Lawson 50 (1 2nd)

[Meatwad]

Piastri starts the season with a win in Bahrain. Stroll and Zhou join him on the podium. Surprisingly, last-placed Sargeant sets fastest lap.

2024 (After one race):

Piastri 25 (1 win)
Stroll 18 (1 2nd)
Zhou 15 (1 3rd)
Magnussen 12 (best result: 4th)
Tsunoda 10 (best result: 5th)
Ocon 8 (best result: 6th)
Gasly 6 (best result: 7th)
Sargeant 5 (best result: 8th)

[Meatwad]

Piastri takes another win in Jeddah. He has a nice lead in the championship now, thanks to Stroll retiring and Zhou only managing seventh (last of the classified finishers). Guest driver Bearman surprises by finishing second, ahead of Magnussen, and setting the fastest lap.

2024 (After two races):

Piastri 50 (2 wins)
Magnussen 27 (1 3rd)
Zhou 21 (1 3rd)
Ocon 20 (best result: 4th)
Bearman 19 (1 2nd)
Stroll 18 (1 2nd)
Tsunoda 18 (best result: 5th)
Sargeant 15 (best result: 5th)
Gasly 6 (best result: 7th)

[Rob Dylan]

Great drive from Bearman to take second, and especially generous from Ferrari to randomly make a car designed for this one specific race in mind!

[Meatwad]

In Australia, Piastri continues his amazing season with a home win. Stroll finishes second and Tsunoda an impressive third, but it's already looking like Oscar might be unbeatable, helped by an additional fastest lap point. As Sargeant was withdrawn from the race, only seven drivers started, and all of them finished the race too.

2024 (After three races):

Piastri 76 (3 wins)
Magnussen 39 (1 3rd)
Stroll 36 (2 2nd)
Tsunoda 33 (1 3rd)
Zhou 29 (1 3rd)
Ocon 26 (best result: 4th)
Bearman 19 (1 2nd)
Gasly 16 (best result: 5th)
Sargeant 15 (best result: 5th)

[Meatwad]

In Japan, Piastri takes his fourth win in four races and also sets the fastest lap. Tsunoda finishes second at home and Stroll third. There might not be much of a fight for the title at the moment, but second, third and fourth are currently level on points!

2024 (After four races):

Piastri 102 (4 wins)
Stroll 51 (2 2nd, 1 3rd)
Tsunoda 51 (1 2nd, 1 3rd)
Magnussen 51 (1 3rd)
Ocon 36 (best result: 4th)
Zhou 29 (1 3rd)
Gasly 24 (best result: 5th)
Sargeant 21 (best result: 5th)
Bearman 19 (1 2nd)

[Meatwad]

Unsurprisingly, Piastri wins the Chinese sprint race. Home hero Zhou takes second place ahead of Magnussen.

Piastri also wins the Grand Prix, with the Alpine duo of Ocon and Gasly taking their first podiums of the season. Zhou sets the fastest lap.

2024 (After five races):

Piastri 135 (5 wins)
Stroll 66 (2 2nd, 1 3rd)
Magnussen 65 (1 3rd)
Ocon 57 (1 2nd)
Tsunoda 53 (1 2nd, 1 3rd)
Zhou 49 (1 3rd)
Gasly 43 (1 3rd)
Sargeant 28 (best result: 5th)
Bearman 19 (1 2nd)

[Meatwad]

Predictably, Piastri wins the Miami sprint ahead of Tsunoda and Gasly. The biggest surprise is home hero Sargeant's fourth place.

However, Oscar's win streak comes to an end in the Grand Prix itself, as he only finishes fourth after a crash (but sets the fastest lap along the way, and actually manages to increase his lead by two points over the weekend). This gives Yuki Tsunoda the opportunity to take his first win, having already been on the podium ten times before (including two second places). Ocon and Gasly finish second and third, respectively.

2024 (After six races):

Piastri 156 (5 wins)
Tsunoda 85 (1 win, 1 2nd, 1 3rd)
Ocon 78 (2 2nd)
Stroll 74 (2 2nd, 1 3rd)
Magnussen 73 (1 3rd)
Gasly 64 (2 3rd)
Zhou 63 (1 3rd)
Sargeant 33 (best result: 5th)
Bearman 19 (1 2nd)

[James1978]

Yay, Yuki wins a race

[Meatwad]

After one miss, Piastri wins again in Imola. Stroll and Tsunoda join him on the podium. The fastest lap point also went to Piastri.

2024 (After seven races):

Piastri 182 (6 wins)
Tsunoda 100 (1 win, 1 2nd, 2 3rd)
Stroll 92 (3 2nd, 1 3rd)
Ocon 88 (2 2nd)
Magnussen 85 (1 3rd)
Zhou 71 (1 3rd)
Gasly 70 (2 3rd)
Sargeant 37 (best result: 5th)
Bearman 19 (1 2nd)

[Meatwad]

In Monaco, Piastri takes another win, with Tsunoda second and Gasly third. Zhou sets the fastest lap.

2024 (After eight races):

Piastri 207 (7 wins)
Tsunoda 118 (1 win, 2 2nd, 2 3rd)
Stroll 104 (3 2nd, 1 3rd)
Ocon 88 (2 2nd)
Gasly 85 (3 3rd)
Magnussen 85 (1 3rd)
Zhou 80 (1 3rd)
Sargeant 47 (best result: 2 5th)
Bearman 19 (1 2nd)

[Meatwad]

Piastri wins and sets the fastest lap in Canada, continuing his dominance. Stroll places second and Gasly third. Tsunoda only manages to finish sixth after an error, further adding to Piastri's championship lead.

2024 (After nine races):

Piastri 233 (8 wins)
Tsunoda 126 (1 win, 2 2nd, 2 3rd)
Stroll 122 (4 2nd, 1 3rd)
Ocon 100 (2 2nd)
Gasly 100 (4 3rd)
Magnussen 95 (1 3rd)
Zhou 86 (1 3rd)
Sargeant 47 (best result: 2 5th)
Bearman 19 (1 2nd)

[Meatwad]

Piastri takes a dominant win in Spain. Gasly gets his best result of the season in second, with team mate Ocon third. The fastest lap was set by Piastri.

2024 (After ten races):

Piastri 259 (9 wins)
Tsunoda 132 (1 win, 2 2nd, 2 3rd)
Stroll 132 (4 2nd, 1 3rd)
Gasly 118 (1 2nd, 4 3rd)
Ocon 115 (2 2nd, 1 3rd)
Magnussen 103 (1 3rd)
Zhou 98 (1 3rd)
Sargeant 51 (best result: 2 5th)
Bearman 19 (1 2nd)

[Meatwad]

In the Austrian sprint, Piastri wins ahead of Magnussen and Stroll.

Piastri also wins the Grand Prix in dominant fashion, setting the fastest lap on the way. Magnussen repeats his second place. Gasly finishes third ahead of Ocon, the Alpine duo having been responsible for most of the drama in a race with no retirements!

2024 (After eleven races):

Piastri 293 (10 wins)
Stroll 148 (4 2nd, 1 3rd)
Tsunoda 143 (1 win, 2 2nd, 2 3rd)
Gasly 137 (1 2nd, 5 3rd)
Ocon 132 (2 2nd, 1 3rd)
Magnussen 128 (1 2nd, 1 3rd)
Zhou 105 (1 3rd)
Sargeant 57 (best result: 2 5th)
Bearman 19 (1 2nd)

[Meatwad]

At Silverstone, the winner is Piastri, to no one's surprise. He dominates the race, beating second-placed Stroll by 44 seconds and setting a fastest lap over 1.1 seconds faster than anyone else's. Tsunoda was a similarly distant third. Sargeant misses out on a podium, but fourth place is his best result of the season anyway.

2024 (After twelve races):

Piastri 319 (11 wins)
Stroll 166 (5 2nd, 1 3rd)
Tsunoda 158 (1 win, 2 2nd, 3 3rd)
Ocon 140 (2 2nd, 1 3rd)
Magnussen 138 (1 2nd, 1 3rd)
Gasly 137 (1 2nd, 5 3rd)
Zhou 111 (1 3rd)
Sargeant 69 (best result: 4th)
Bearman 19 (1 2nd)

[Meatwad]

The Hungarian Grand Prix gives Piastri another win. Tsunoda and Stroll join him on the podium. Fastest lap is set by Sargeant.

2024 (After thirteen races):

Piastri 344 (12 wins)
Stroll 181 (5 2nd, 2 3rd)
Tsunoda 176 (1 win, 3 2nd, 3 3rd)
Magnussen 150 (1 2nd, 1 3rd)
Ocon 148 (2 2nd, 1 3rd)
Gasly 137 (1 2nd, 5 3rd)
Zhou 117 (1 3rd)
Sargeant 80 (best result: 4th)
Bearman 19 (1 2nd)

[Meatwad]

Piastri takes yet another win at Spa. Ocon places second, Stroll third. The fastest lap was set by Piastri.

2024 (After fourteen races):

Piastri 370 (13 wins)
Stroll 196 (5 2nd, 3 3rd)
Tsunoda 184 (1 win, 3 2nd, 3 3rd)
Ocon 166 (3 2nd, 1 3rd)
Magnussen 160 (1 2nd, 1 3rd)
Gasly 149 (1 2nd, 5 3rd)
Zhou 117 (1 3rd)
Sargeant 86 (best result: 4th)
Bearman 19 (1 2nd)

[Meatwad]

In the Dutch Grand Prix, Piastri takes the win. Gasly finishes second with Stroll third. Piastri sets the fastest lap.

2024 (After fifteen races):

Piastri 396 (14 wins)
Stroll 211 (5 2nd, 4 3rd)
Tsunoda 192 (1 win, 3 2nd, 3 3rd)
Ocon 178 (3 2nd, 1 3rd)
Gasly 167 (2 2nd, 5 3rd)
Magnussen 166 (1 2nd, 1 3rd)
Zhou 121 (1 3rd)
Sargeant 96 (best result: 4th)
Bearman 19 (1 2nd)

[Meatwad]

Piastri continues his winning streak in the Italian Grand Prix, also setting the fastest lap. He might even be able to clinch the title two weeks from now in Baku! Magnussen finishes second, but third place is the big surprise: Franco Colapinto makes his debut, replacing Sargeant, and immediately does better than Logan did all season!

2024 (After sixteen races):

Piastri 422 (15 wins)
Stroll 217 (5 2nd, 4 3rd)
Tsunoda 192 (1 win, 3 2nd, 3 3rd)
Ocon 190 (3 2nd, 1 3rd)
Magnussen 184 (2 2nd, 1 3rd)
Gasly 177 (2 2nd, 5 3rd)
Zhou 129 (1 3rd)
Sargeant 96 (best result: 4th)
Bearman 19 (1 2nd)
Colapinto 15 (1 3rd)

[Meatwad]

In the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Piastri takes his eleventh win in a row and clinches the title with seven rounds to go. Now his only remaining target will be to beat Russell's record of 18 wins in a season. Colapinto improves on his debut performance by finishing second, while Bearman, replacing the banned Magnussen, also keeps his podium (and fastest lap!) percentage at 100 with a third place.

2024 (After seventeen races):

Piastri 447 (16 wins)
Stroll 223 (5 2nd, 4 3rd)
Ocon 198 (3 2nd, 1 3rd)
Tsunoda 192 (1 win, 3 2nd, 3 3rd)
Gasly 189 (2 2nd, 5 3rd)
Magnussen 184 (2 2nd, 1 3rd)
Zhou 139 (1 3rd)
Sargeant 96 (best result: 4th)
Bearman 35 (1 2nd, 1 3rd)
Colapinto 33 (1 2nd, 1 3rd)

[Bleu]

Also interesting to see whether Colapinto can beat Sargeant.

I expect Antonelli to be dominating next year (unless Perez is sacked and replaced by suitable candidate for this)

[Meatwad]

Also interesting to see whether Colapinto can beat Sargeant.

I expect Antonelli to be dominating next year (unless Perez is sacked and replaced by suitable candidate for this)

I'm predicting Colapinto to finish ahead based on his first races. In all three races, he's done better than Sargeant did in any this year. And I agree on Antonelli – I can't imagine Stroll being able to perform on that level (though he'll probably be the main challenger like in the last couple of seasons).



In the Singapore Grand Prix, Piastri gets closer to the win record and also sets the fastest lap. Colapinto impresses by finishing second again, while Tsunoda takes third place.

2024 (After eighteen races):

Piastri 473 (17 wins)
Stroll 233 (5 2nd, 4 3rd)
Ocon 210 (3 2nd, 1 3rd)
Tsunoda 207 (1 win, 3 2nd, 4 3rd)
Gasly 195 (2 2nd, 5 3rd)
Magnussen 188 (2 2nd, 1 3rd)
Zhou 147 (1 3rd)
Sargeant 96 (best result: 4th)
Colapinto 51 (2 2nd, 1 3rd)
Bearman 35 (1 2nd, 1 3rd)

[James1978]

I guess Checo could be in danger if the junior team take Lawson for the last few races of this year and impresses though they have put Kvyat, Gasly and Albon in the senior team too early, the former is out of F1 entirely now and the latter two took a while to establish themselves at other (not as competitive) teams. Ideally Lawson should get the VCARB seat full-time then evaluate on him replacing Checo in 2026.

[Abbaschand]

But Checo was gone, tho. He's out from 2017.

[Meatwad]

In the United States sprint race, Magnussen takes the win ahead of Piastri and Tsunoda.

In the race, Piastri returns to winning ways, equaling Russell's win record from two years ago. On his return to RB, Lawson follows up an eighth place in the sprint with a second place in the Grand Prix. Colapinto is third, continuing his podium streak. Ocon sets the fastest lap.

2024 (After nineteen races):

Piastri 505 (18 wins)
Stroll 243 (5 2nd, 4 3rd)
Tsunoda 221 (1 win, 3 2nd, 4 3rd)
Ocon 217 (3 2nd, 1 3rd)
Gasly 208 (2 2nd, 5 3rd)
Magnussen 208 (2 2nd, 1 3rd)
Zhou 149 (1 3rd)
Sargeant 96 (best result: 4th)
Colapinto 71 (2 2nd, 2 3rd)
Bearman 35 (1 2nd, 1 3rd)
Lawson 19 (1 2nd)

[James1978]

Colapinto is going to end up beating Sargeant with a lot less races!

[Meatwad]

Colapinto is going to end up beating Sargeant with a lot less races!

Today's race was unusually weak for him, but things are still looking good!


Piastri had the chance to break Russell's win record this weekend... but he'll have to try again next week! In Mexico, he could only finish second behind Magnussen after a weak qualifying, ending an impressive streak of 13 Grand Prix wins. Gasly finished third. Colapinto missed the podium for the first time in his career after a crash with Lawson (who had to pit and set the fastest lap on new softs) left him fifth.

2024 (After twenty races):

Piastri 523 (18 wins, 1 2nd)
Stroll 255 (5 2nd, 4 3rd)
Magnussen 233 (1 win, 2 2nd, 1 3rd)
Ocon 225 (3 2nd, 1 3rd)
Gasly 223 (2 2nd, 6 3rd)
Tsunoda 221 (1 win, 3 2nd, 4 3rd)
Zhou 155 (1 3rd)
Sargeant 96 (best result: 4th)
Colapinto 81 (2 2nd, 2 3rd)
Bearman 35 (1 2nd, 1 3rd)
Lawson 24 (1 2nd)

[Meatwad]

In the Brazilian sprint, Piastri wins ahead of Gasly and Lawson.

However, Piastri again fails to win the Grand Prix, only finishing fourth after a penalty – the first time since last year that someone else has won two races in a row! He set the fastest lap, though. Ocon won with Gasly second, giving Alpine a surprise result. Tsunoda took third place. Bearman filled in for Magnussen again, finishing sixth in both the sprint and the race.

2024 (After twenty-one races):

Piastri 544 (18 wins, 1 2nd)
Stroll 255 (5 2nd, 4 3rd)
Ocon 254 (1 win, 3 2nd, 1 3rd)
Gasly 248 (3 2nd, 6 3rd)
Tsunoda 238 (1 win, 3 2nd, 5 3rd)
Magnussen 233 (1 win, 2 2nd, 1 3rd)
Zhou 162 (1 3rd)
Sargeant 96 (best result: 4th)
Colapinto 86 (2 2nd, 2 3rd)
Bearman 46 (1 2nd, 1 3rd)
Lawson 40 (1 2nd)

[Rob Dylan]

I also love that Piastri is winning the constructors' championship all on his own in this universe too, even despite a 1-2 for Alpine. Amazing that Piastri still hasn't beaten Russell's win record - the suspense is killing us.

[Meatwad]

Colapinto is going to end up beating Sargeant with a lot less races!

I also love that Piastri is winning the constructors' championship all on his own in this universe too, even despite a 1-2 for Alpine. Amazing that Piastri still hasn't beaten Russell's win record - the suspense is killing us.

Both of these finally happened today!


In Las Vegas, Piastri takes another win and breaks Russell's record. Tsunoda finishes second and Magnussen third. Fourth-placed Zhou sets the fastest lap.

2024 (After twenty-two races):

Piastri 569 (19 wins, 1 2nd)
Stroll 263 (5 2nd, 4 3rd)
Ocon 258 (1 win, 3 2nd, 1 3rd)
Tsunoda 256 (1 win, 4 2nd, 5 3rd)
Magnussen 248 (1 win, 2 2nd, 2 3rd)
Gasly 248 (3 2nd, 6 3rd)
Zhou 175 (1 3rd)
Colapinto 96 (2 2nd, 2 3rd)
Sargeant 96 (best result: 4th)
Bearman 46 (1 2nd, 1 3rd)
Lawson 46 (1 2nd)

[Rob Dylan]

Meanwhile the fight for second is very close. Even Magnussen of all people could end up finishing runner-up with two good races behind him. No less than five people gunning for that second spot will make the rest of the season worth watching.

[James1978]

Wow, how far Zhou is off the other regular drivers shows how bad that Sauber really is. Even Sargeant and Colapinto's total is ahead of Zhou despite them having a few crashes!!

[Meatwad]

Meanwhile the fight for second is very close. Even Magnussen of all people could end up finishing runner-up with two good races behind him. No less than five people gunning for that second spot will make the rest of the season worth watching.

After Qatar, we still have a five-way fight, with just 11 points separating them! Based on recent form, I'd say Gasly and Magnussen are the most likely to win.

Wow, how far Zhou is off the other regular drivers shows how bad that Sauber really is. Even Sargeant and Colapinto's total is ahead of Zhou despite them having a few crashes!!

Though Sargeant was 25 points behind Zhou when he was fired, further showing what an improvement Colapinto has been (when he's not crashing)!


Unsurprisingly, Piastri wins the Qatar sprint ahead of Gasly and Magnussen.

In the Grand Prix itself, it's also another win (and fastest lap) for Piastri, making him the first driver with 20 wins in a single season. Gasly finishes second, while Zhou equals his season best with a third place.

2024 (After twenty-three races):

Piastri 603 (20 wins, 1 2nd)
Gasly 273 (4 2nd, 6 3rd)
Tsunoda 268 (1 win, 4 2nd, 5 3rd)
Stroll 268 (5 2nd, 4 3rd)
Magnussen 266 (1 win, 2 2nd, 2 3rd)
Ocon 262 (1 win, 3 2nd, 1 3rd)
Zhou 190 (2 3rd)
Colapinto 97 (2 2nd, 2 3rd)
Sargeant 96 (best result: 4th)
Lawson 57 (1 2nd)
Bearman 46 (1 2nd, 1 3rd)

[Rob Dylan]

Gasly from sixth to second overall, and it really must be him as the favourite. Considering his topsy-turvy real-life season, in my opinion Magnussen would be the most confusing and funniest runner-up out of the options, and it is for that reason that I will be supporting him.

[Meatwad]

In Abu Dhabi, the four-way fight for second place (down from five after Alpine replaced Ocon with Jack Doohan) was won by Gasly, helped by his first Grand Prix win of the season. Out of the other remaining contenders, Tsunoda placed third, Stroll fifth and Magnussen seventh (with fastest lap).

As for Piastri, he could only finish second after a spin on lap 1... but in addition to his win record, he impressively scored more than 92% of the possible points this season! Doohan started his F1 career with a sixth place.

Final standings for 2024:

Piastri 621 (20 wins, 2 2nd)
Gasly 298 (1 win, 4 2nd, 6 3rd)
Tsunoda 283 (1 win, 4 2nd, 6 3rd)
Stroll 278 (5 2nd, 4 3rd)
Magnussen 273 (1 win, 2 2nd, 2 3rd)
Ocon 262 (1 win, 3 2nd, 1 3rd)
Zhou 202 (2 3rd)
Colapinto 97 (2 2nd, 2 3rd)
Sargeant 96 (best result: 4th)
Lawson 61 (1 2nd)
Bearman 46 (1 2nd, 1 3rd)
Doohan 8 (best result: 6th)

[Rob Dylan]

So for 2025 we have

Alpine:
Jack Doohan
Pierre Gasly

Aston:
Lance Stroll

Haas:
Esteban Ocon
Oliver Bearman

Sauber:
Bortoleto

Mercedes:
Kimi Antonelli

RB:
Yuki Tsunoda


Of those, Antonelli is by far the favourite, but I reckon we could have a fun time if Tsunoda gets promoted up to Red Bull in Perez's place. It's been three walkovers in a row, and I would dearly hope for a repeat of 2021 where we had Norris-Sainz down to the wire. Who knows, maybe 2025 is Lance Stroll's year when Adrian Newey works his magic?