Some drivers made headlines week after week in 2024, but the season also delivered exceptional performances from names both big and small. Across every series — from Formula 1 and IndyCar to endurance racing, rally, and electric formats — the level of competition reached new heights.
This is our take on the 50 best racing drivers of the year, based on performance, consistency, and impact, regardless of budget, fame, or machinery.
50. António Félix da Costa
A seasoned Formula E racer and former champion, Da Costa continued to show his skill with Porsche in the all-electric series. His strong performances kept him in the mix despite a competitive field.
49. Esteban Ocon
Competing for Alpine in Formula 1, Ocon remained a consistent presence in the midfield. While not a standout season, his ability to extract results in difficult conditions earned him recognition.
48. Isack Hadjar
The young French talent impressed in Formula 2 with Red Bull backing. His aggressive racecraft and raw speed hinted at future F1 potential.
47. Tom Ingram
A frontrunner in the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC), Ingram maintained his position as one of the UK’s best tin-top racers. His race wins and consistency kept him in title contention.
46. Yuki Tsunoda
Driving for RB (formerly AlphaTauri) in F1, Tsunoda had a breakthrough year with improved race pace and fewer errors. His development earned him praise from the paddock.
45. Laurin Heinrich
Heinrich made waves in the Porsche Supercup and GT racing scene. A rising star in Porsche’s ranks, his adaptability across different GT3 machinery stood out.
44. Jake Hill
Another BTCC standout, Hill’s pace and aggressive style helped him fight at the front in one of the most competitive touring car series in the world.
43. Pato O’Ward
A fan favorite in IndyCar, O’Ward delivered a string of podiums for Arrow McLaren. His electric race starts and overtaking ability kept him firmly in the spotlight.
42. Oliver Rowland
Returning to Formula E with Nissan, Rowland quickly re-established himself as a force with several standout qualifying performances and race results.
41. Ott Tänak
The 2019 WRC champion endured a mixed year with M-Sport Ford but reminded everyone of his raw speed and bravery on gravel and tarmac stages.
40. Tadasuke Makino
Racing in Super Formula, Makino had a solid campaign in Japan’s top open-wheel category. His technical feedback and race consistency earned praise from his team.
39. Alex Albon
Driving for Williams in Formula 1, Albon continued to outperform expectations in a car that wasn’t always competitive. His qualifying speed was a major highlight.
38. Kelvin van der Linde
A standout in GT and DTM racing, the South African ace showed why he remains one of Audi’s most trusted factory drivers with multiple podiums across disciplines.
37. Fernando Alonso
At 42, Alonso was still delivering strong results for Aston Martin in F1. His experience, racecraft, and relentless drive continued to impre
36. Maro Engel
Engel delivered another impressive season in GT3 machinery, racing for Mercedes-AMG in the toughest endurance events on the calendar, including the Nürburgring 24 Hours.
35. Matt Campbell
The Australian Porsche ace shone in IMSA and WEC competition, combining speed with consistency and playing a key role in Porsche Penske’s factory efforts.
34. Ryan Blaney
Blaney had a strong year in NASCAR Cup Series, building on his 2023 championship with consistent performances and race wins, solidifying his status as a top-tier oval racer.
33. Mirko Bortolotti
A Lamborghini factory driver, Bortolotti stood out in both GT World Challenge and endurance racing, often punching above the car’s weight in tough fields.
32. Gabriel Bortoleto
The Brazilian youngster won the FIA Formula 3 championship in 2023 and followed up with a solid rookie F2 campaign in 2024. His calm approach and consistency earned attention.
31. Sébastien Ogier
A WRC legend and eight-time world champion, Ogier impressed with part-time appearances that still resulted in wins. His class and control were as evident as ever.
30. Dries Vanthoor
Competing in GT3 and endurance racing, Vanthoor upheld the family legacy with fast, disciplined drives for BMW. His Nürburgring and Spa performances stood out.
29. Mikkel Jensen
The Danish driver had a breakthrough year with Peugeot in the WEC Hypercar class, showing top-tier pace and maturity in a challenging and evolving program.
28. Sébastien Buemi
A key figure in Toyota’s WEC team, Buemi continued to deliver at the front in Hypercar competition. His endurance experience remains invaluable.
27. Lewis Hamilton
Though not in title contention in 2024, Hamilton showed flashes of brilliance with Mercedes in F1. His leadership and ability to maximize difficult situations were crucial.
26. Felipe Nasr
Porsche’s versatile Brazilian continued to thrive in IMSA and WEC competition. Nasr’s speed and strategic thinking helped deliver key endurance results.
25. Will Power
The veteran Australian remained a key pillar for Team Penske in IndyCar. Though not a title contender in 2024, his experience and racecraft made him a constant threat.
24. Renger van der Zande
A top endurance racer, van der Zande delivered for Cadillac Racing in IMSA and WEC. His aggressive stints in long-distance events were crucial to team strategy.
23. Nico Hülkenberg
In his return to a full-time F1 seat with Haas, Hülkenberg impressed with strong qualifying pace and leadership. He outperformed expectations in a tough car.
22. Will Brown
One of Supercars’ fastest rising stars, Brown fought for the title in the ultra-competitive Australian touring car series. His raw pace and consistency made headlines.
21. Pierre Gasly
Now racing for Alpine alongside Ocon, Gasly had a solid F1 season, showing maturity and speed. His strong midfield battles helped elevate the team’s profile.
20. Kalle Rovanperä
Though only part-time in 2024, the reigning WRC champion remained incredibly fast on any surface. His calm driving style and control kept him near the top.
19. Colton Herta
Still one of IndyCar’s brightest American stars, Herta combined flair with better consistency in 2024. He remains central to Andretti’s future and any F1 ambitions.
18. Nick Cassidy
A consistent front-runner in Formula E, Cassidy was a title challenger with Jaguar. His smooth driving and smart race strategy earned him multiple wins.
17. Mitch Evans
Teammate to Cassidy at Jaguar in Formula E, Evans remained one of the series’ most explosive talents. His qualifying pace and race aggression stood out once again.
16. Kyle Larson
Arguably the most versatile driver in American motorsport, Larson shone in both NASCAR and dirt racing. His adaptability across formats remains unmatched.
15. Joey Logano
The two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion continued to deliver high-level performances for Team Penske. Logano’s race management and tactical mind kept him a contender.
14. Laurens Vanthoor
The Belgian GT specialist impressed in WEC with Porsche and remained a standout in major endurance races. His consistency and speed earned factory trust.
13. Oscar Piastri
In just his second F1 season, Piastri matured into a reliable star for McLaren. His podiums and ability to match Norris at times turned plenty of heads.
12. Nicklas Nielsen
The Danish Ferrari driver had a superb campaign in WEC’s Hypercar class. Nielsen’s stints helped secure key points in a highly competitive championship.
11. George Russell
Racing alongside Hamilton at Mercedes, Russell showed he’s ready to lead the team’s next era. His qualifying pace and race control continued to improve.
10. Thierry Neuville
Hyundai’s WRC spearhead remained one of the fastest rally drivers on the planet. His relentlessness across tarmac and gravel kept him in the title fight.
9. Sho Tsuboi
A star in Japan’s Super Formula, Tsuboi showcased blistering speed and tactical awareness. He’s increasingly viewed as the next major Japanese hope for global stardom.
8. Kevin Estre
The Frenchman delivered heroics for Porsche in WEC, especially in Le Mans. Known for his aggression and endurance talent, Estre was a key factor in Porsche’s success.
7. Pascal Wehrlein
A championship contender in Formula E with Porsche, Wehrlein combined raw speed with improved consistency. His qualifying performances were a key strength.
6. Carlos Sainz
Sainz delivered one of his best seasons yet with Ferrari, including crucial podiums and head-to-head wins over teammate Leclerc. He proved himself a true race winner.
5. Scott McLaughlin
The New Zealander continued his strong form in IndyCar with Team Penske, combining race wins with steady championship form. His oval pace was especially impressive.
4. Alex Palou
The 2023 IndyCar champion remained the man to beat in 2024, thanks to surgical precision and tire management. His dominance at multiple circuits was undeniable.
3. Lando Norris
With a vastly improved McLaren, Norris elevated himself into consistent podium and race-winning territory. His qualifying speed and race IQ reached new heights.
2. Charles Leclerc
Leclerc bounced back with a strong season for Ferrari, frequently challenging Red Bull and Verstappen. His raw speed and tire management stood out across the calendar.
1. Max Verstappen
Dominating once again with Red Bull, Verstappen showed total control across circuits, weather, and race formats. His third consecutive title cemented his place among the greats.
