C'mon C'mon it's time for the US Grand Prix
Disclaimer: This piece contains references to the late Liam Payne. We are devastated from his tragic passing, and our hearts go out to his family, friends, and fans during this difficult time.
Hold onto your seats, Directioners and F1 fans! The connection between these two worlds is full of invisible strings. Spotted at the Italian Grand Prix earlier this year, Louis Tomlinson wasn't just there for the thrills—he's making waves in the racing scene! And let's not forget the charming Daniel Ricciardo, former F1 superstar, who's revealed his deep love for none other than Harry Styles! Talk about an unexpected crossover!
It seems like many F1 fans once danced along to One Direction hits, proving the invisible strings of fandom are everywhere. With the buzz building for the 2024 season finale, we at Sportsish can't think of a better way to gear up for the United States Grand Prix this Sunday than comparing it to one of our favorite bands, One Direction!
So grab your headphones because this combo of high-speed thrills and catchy tunes promises to be a wild ride! Let's dive in!
RedBull
At the beginning of the season, Red Bull seemed to have Something Great, but it seems like the team just doesn't have that magic anymore. Max Verstappen has been struggling to put his car in podium positions, and his teammate, Sergio "Checo" Perez, has had difficulty getting past Q2 during qualifying in what is expected to be a championship-winning car. The team needs all the support it can get as they head into the United States Grand Prix this weekend, especially since more points are available in the third sprint weekend of the season. Will this championship-winning team be able to regain the lead, or will they continue to trail behind?
McLaren
McLaren has been on a roll since the second half of the season started, and no one, not even Red Bull, is going to Drag them Down. McLaren has finally passed Red Bull in the points and is now in the lead for the World Constucotr's championship. The same can't be said for Lando Norris, who, going into this weekend, is 52 points behind Max Verstappen. Norris has been dominating the second half of the season, and he has six races, including three sprint weekends, to pass Verstappen for the championship.
Ferrari
Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz at the Singapore Grand Prix (Instagram)
Heartbreak is inevitable, but we will remember all the Little Things from the past few years. With six races left before the season wraps up, it's Carlos Sainz's last six races as a Ferrari driver. Carlos announced that he will be driving for Williams during the summer break in 2025. No one is ready to say goodbye to our Ferrari boys that we've learned to love. Everyone fell in love with the duo of Carlos and Charles Leclerc back in 2021. They brought Ferrari back to glory, winning races, and each won at least one race this season. The fight in constructors isn't over yet, with Ferrari 34 points behind Red Bull; this weekend is the best time for the team to catch up to Red Bull and remain in the fight for the championship.
Mercedes
It's the end of an era for Mercedes. In six races, they will say goodbye to Lewis Hamilton as he embarks on a new journey in 2025 with Ferrari. After winning six championships together, Hamilton and Mercedes share a rich history, but all good things must come to an end. So far this season, the team has won three races: George Russell triumphed in Austria, while Hamilton secured victories at his home Grand Prix in Britain and the Belgian Grand Prix. Fans hope this iconic and memorable partnership will conclude on a high note.
Kick Sauber
It seems that no matter what Kick Sauber does, it's Never Enough. The team has yet to score any points this season, hasn't made it out of Q1 during qualifying, and there are few signs of improvement as the season approaches its final leg. Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu are currently vying for the opportunity to remain in Formula 1, especially since Haas driver Nico Hülkenberg has taken their places. The 2025 season is the last one for Sauber before it transitions to Audi in 2026 and beyond. Sauber is the only team with an open seat available, making their upcoming driver announcement highly anticipated.
Alpine
Here is the Story of My Life, or the story of Alpine, the horrendously overlooked team. Alpine's team is comprised of two drivers, Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly. At the beginning of the season, they faced challenges due to the car being overweight and slower than others on the grid. However, they have managed to turn things around. With star investors like Ryan Reynolds and Travis Kelce, along with impressive sponsorships—including partnerships with Deadpool, Wolverine, and specifically this weekend, Indiana Jones—the team is poised for growth. Next season, the internal rivalry between the teammates will come to an end as Ocon departs, making way for Jack Doohan's rookie season in 2025.
Racing Bulls
During this fall break, we received some answers but still have many questions. We said goodbye to Daniel Ricciardo after the Singapore Grand Prix and welcomed back Liam Lawson for the United States Grand Prix. Did Lawson hear "Steal My Girl" or "Steal My Seat?" We may never know. This switch will only last for the next six races, and the potential for Lawson's first entire season in 2025 remains uncertain. However, this is Red Bull, and neither Lawson nor Yuki Tsunoda may be with the sister team, Visa Cash App Racing Bulls, when the lights go out in Abu Dhabi.
Williams
Following the dramatic turn of events at the Dutch Grand Prix, Williams made the surprising decision to replace America's sweetheart, Logan Sargent, after a heavy crash that cost him his spot in Formula 1. It's incredible how quickly the Night Changes. Sargent had to say goodbye to his F1 dreams. Williams brought in F2 rookie Franco Colapinto to take over in a bold move. Since making his debut at the Italian Grand Prix, Colapinto has impressed, scoring four points in just three races, with his best finish being eighth place. His arrival has revitalized the team, giving them a real chance to compete in the midfield.
Aston Martin
Aston Martin may not be having the season they hoped for, but there's plenty of room for improvement. With Adrian Newey on board, we can expect Magic. The team has all the ingredients for success in 2025. Thanks to Newey, they will have a competitive car and strong drivers: two-time world champion Fernando Alonso, who just extended his contract, and the ideal second driver, Lance Stroll.
Haas
Haas started the 2024 season with an eye on the 2025 season. With a new team principal, Ayao Komatsu, it was clear that the Haas we once knew were transforming, and significant changes were on the horizon. This season introduced us to a chaotic duo on the track: Nico Hulkenberg, who is leaving the team for Sauber, and Kevin Magnussen, who has yet to share details about his future. We Love You Goodbye, Haas, but we are excited to see what 2025 will bring with the introduction of Ollie Bearman to F1 and Esteban Ocon.