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Red Bull’s Sergio Perez remains the driver who has caused the most damage to his team in 2024 with accidents in the 21 races of the season so far – but Alex Albon now threatens the Mexican’s top spot.
Although in the past the cost of damages caused by drivers in Formula 1 with accidents during the racing three days went unnoticed in the “torrent” of millions, in recent years it has gained particular importance due to the budget limit ($135 million, this year) that has been imposed on the teams.
In particular, the cost of manufacturing extra parts that are destroyed in accidents is now deducted from the money available to the teams for the development of their car during the year. And this seriously affects their competitiveness.
Of all the components that make up an F1 car, the chassis is the most expensive with an estimated cost of around €615,000. Next comes the gearbox, priced at around €455,000, while other expensive-to-build parts include the floor, front and rear wings, suspension and wheels.
After the Brazilian GP, which was disastrous for many teams due to constant rain, Sergio Perez remains at the top of the list of drivers who have caused the most damage to their cars, costing just over €4.5 million since the start of the season. Of course, most of that damage was not the fault of the Mexican, but Haas’ Kevin Magnussen who caused their accident in Monaco.
Alex Albon is second on the list, having cost Williams around €4.34 million. To the accident of the Anglo-Thai in Melbourne was added two weeks later his collision with Daniel Ricciardo in the GP of Japan, and finally his accident in the qualifying tests of Interlago – which cost more than 800 thousand euros.
Mercedes’ George Russell had little accidents and damage to his W15 until mid-season, but his unlucky moments at the US and Mexican GPs cost him dearly, moving him to 3rd on the relevant list.
Lewis Hamilton, Valtteri Bottas and Liam Lawson (in just 3 GPs, the New Zealander) have caused the least and least damage, but they can’t catch Pierre Gasly who hasn’t cost the Alpine team a single euro this year.
The cost of claims per driver in 2024
- Sergio Perez: €4,520,730
- Alex Albon: €4,338,217.50
- George Russell: €2,979,720
- Logan Sargeant: €2,797,440
- Carlos Sainz: €2,674,680
- Yuki Tsunoda: €2,007,870
- Fernando Alonso: €1,821,870
- Lance Stroll: €1,754,910
- Franco Colapinto: €1,668,420
- Kevin Magnussen: €1,320,600
- Guanyue Chow: €1,319,670
- Daniel Ricciardo: €1,127,160
- Charles Leclerc: €1,122,510
- Esteban Ocon: €934,650
- Max Verstappen: €846,300
- Oscar Piastri: €534,750
- Nico Hulkenberg: €441,750
- Lando Norris: €392,460
- Lewis Hamilton: €297,600
- Valtteri Botas: €116,250
- Liam Lawson: €116,250
- Pierre Gasly: €0
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