Lando Norris capped off a remarkable 2024 F1 season with a commanding victory at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to secure the first McLaren’s Constructors’ title in 26 years.
The season finale, held under the bright lights of the Yas Marina Circuit was a dramatic conclusion to a thrilling Formula 1 season.
Lando Norris’ triumph not only marked his fourth win of the year but also solidified McLaren’s Constructors’ title to mark their resurgence in the sport after years of struggle, highlighting a remarkable turnaround for the team.
Norris started the race from pole position after an impressive qualifying session, where he outpaced his rivals to secure the top spot. His teammate, Oscar Piastri, qualified second, setting the stage for a promising start for the Woking-based outfit.
However, chaos ensued almost immediately at the start of the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix when Max Verstappen, who had already secured the Drivers’ Championship weeks earlier in Las Vegas, attempted to overtake Oscar Piastri but ended up colliding with him at Turn One.
The incident spun Piastri out of contention and had to resume the race at the back of the pack after being forced to pit for repairs. Meanwhile Verstappen received a 10-second penalty for his actions.
As Norris maintained his lead at the front, Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz—who had inherited second place following Piastri’s misfortune —and Alpine’s Pierre Gasly were in hot pursuit.
Sainz’s performance was crucial for Ferrari as they aimed to put up a challenge against a highly likely McLaren’s Constructors’ title win. The Spaniard fought hard to keep pace with Norris, who was in a league of his own over the weekend.
Lando Norris’ control over the race was evident as he built a gap that would ultimately see him win the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, finishing approximately five seconds ahead of Sainz who crossed the line in second place.
Behind them, Charles Leclerc delivered an astonishing performance that kept spectators on the edge of their seats. Starting from 19th on the grid due to a disappointing qualifying session, the Monesgaque executed an extraordinary first lap where he gained eleven positions.
Leclerc’s aggressive driving style saw him navigate through traffic with skill and precision, overtaking multiple cars in quick succession. His determination paid off as he climbed up to third place by lap 20 after a well-timed pit stop.
Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton in his final outing for Mercedes started from 16th and showcased his legendary racing skills by finishing fourth. His late-race charge included an emotional overtake on his teammate George Russell with just six corners remaining, allowing him to leave Mercedes on a high note.
The seven-time world champion celebrated his final race by performing doughnuts on the pit straight, providing a fitting farewell to a storied career with the Silver arrows as he switches to Ferrari next season.
Verstappen’s race was marred by his early collision and subsequent penalty, which relegated him to sixth place by the end of the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Pierre Gasly finished seventh for Alpine, contributing to their successful campaign that secured sixth place in the Constructors’ standings.
Nico Hülkenberg concluded his tenure with Haas by finishing eighth, while Fernando Alonso placed ninth for Aston Martin in what was also a significant race for him. Oscar Piastri managed to recover somewhat from his early setback and finished tenth, earning a single point despite what had been a challenging race.
The atmosphere at Yas Marina was electric as fans celebrated McLaren’s Constructors’ title win, a first since 1998, ending a prolonged period of underperformance that had plagued the team for over two decades.
