- McLaren claimed the title in the 2024 Formula 1 Constructors’ Championship at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
- The 2024 Constructors’ title is McLaren’s first in 26 years
- McLaren’s Lando Norris won the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
McLaren’s Lando Norris drove brilliantly on Sunday at the 2024 Formula 1 season-closing Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, managing to take home the win and, in the process, help secure his team the 2024 Constructors’ title—a feat McLaren hasn’t achieved in 26 years.
Ferrari drivers Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc fought hard and finished in second and third places, respectively. It was a particularly impressive drive by Leclerc, who started the race in 19th on the grid.
Lewis Hamilton, in his final race for Mercedes-Benz AMG as he joins Ferrari next season, started in 16th and also drove brilliantly to finish in fourth, one place ahead of teammate George Russell.
McLaren went into the race at the Yas Marina Circuit with a gap of 21 points over Ferrari and managed to win with a lead of just 14 points, thanks also in part to driver Oscar Piastri, who finished 10th in Abu Dhabi.
2024 Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Photo via Ferrari
In the battle for the 2024 Drivers’ title, Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen had already secured victory during November’s Las Vegas Grand Prix, meaning he now has four titles under his belt. Norris ended the season in second place, with Leclerc rounding out the top three.
When the lights turned green in Abu Dhabi, polesitter Norris got the better start over Piastri, who was also on the front row and ended up clashing with Verstappen while trying to hold onto second. This resulted in a 10-second penalty for Verstappen, while Piastri later received his own penalty for a clash with Williams’ Franco Colapinto.
Verstappen finished the race sixth, bouncing back from his earlier penalty. For teammate Sergio Perez, it was yet another disappointing race. He spun at the start after contact with Sauber’s Valtteri Bottas. Perez’s car then came to a halt on the second lap, ending his race. It may be his last for Red Bull, as widespread rumors suggest he will be replaced next season, possibly by Liam Lawson of Red Bull feeder team RB.
2024 Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Photo via Mercedes-Benz
Alpine had a mixed performance at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix but pulled off a surprise this season by taking sixth in the Constructors’ Championship. Pierre Gasly delivered a steady drive to finish seventh, securing valuable points for the team. Esteban Ocon, who joins Haas next season, was replaced in Abu Dhabi by his successor, Jack Doohan. In his F1 debut, Doohan finished a respectable 15th, not putting a foot wrong throughout.
Following the weekend’s action, Verstappen’s points in the Drivers’ Championship closed out at 437 in total, with Norris in second at 374 points and Leclerc in third with 356 points. In the Constructors’ Championship, McLaren ended with 666 points, followed by Ferrari with 652 points and Red Bull with 589.
While the season is officially over, teams will stay in Abu Dhabi for some final testing before the long winter break. For some drivers, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix may mark their last appearance in F1. Five drivers are currently without a seat for next season: Williams’ Franco Colapinto, Haas’ Kevin Magnussen, Sauber’s Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu, and RB’s Liam Lawson.
Yas Marina Circuit, home of the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Photo via Ferrari
Below are the full results from the 2024 Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix:
1) Lando Norris, McLaren
2) Carlos Sainz, Ferrari +5.832 seconds
3) Charles Leclerc, Ferrari +31.928 seconds
4) Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-Benz AMG +36.483 seconds
5) George Russell, Mercedes-Benz AMG +37.538 seconds
6) Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing +49.847 seconds
7) Pierre Gasly, Alpine +72.560 seconds
8) Nico Hulkenberg, Haas +75.554 seconds
9) Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin +82.373 seconds
10) Oscar Piastri, McLaren +83.821 seconds
11) Alexander Albon, Williams +1 lap
12) Yuki Tsunoda, RB +1 lap
13) Zhou Guanyu, Sauber +1 lap
14) Lance Stroll, Aston Martin +1 lap
15) Jack Doohan, Alpine +1 lap
16) Kevin Magnussen , Haas +1 lap
17) Liam Lawson, RB – DNF
NC) Valtteri Bottas, Sauber – DNF
NC) Franco Colapinto, Williams – DNF
NC) Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing – DNF