Ok, so you’re feeling a little down in the dumps now that the 2024 F1 season is done and dusted. I am too. But hey, we’ve still got one more race review to go!
It’s been ten long years since the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix first took on the prestigious role of the season finale. And, although it may not live up to the hype of previous season finales such as the 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix, it’s fair to say there have been some classics at this glitz and glam circuit. The race in 2024 may not be right up there with the very best of the Abu Dhabi races - of course, the top spot goes to the infamous 2021 race just based on the drama alone. It was, however, filled with plenty of emotion and nail biting action as the Constructors Championship would finally be decided.
For McLaren, who were in the fight for the crown, found themselves starting on the front row of the grid - Oscar Piastri in 2nd and Lando Norris on pole. The perfect situation with their rivals, Ferrari, starting in 3rd (Carlos Sainz) and 19th (Charles Leclerc). As soon as the five red lights would disappear from the grid, I am sure every F1 aficionado, specifically fans of McLaren and Ferrari, were holding their breath as the cars thundered down into the first turn. You could not make up as to what was to happen next. A fast starting Max Verstappen would battle Piastri into the first corner, making contact and sending both competitors into a spin and down the order. Verstappen would eventually be slapped with a 10 second time penalty for the incident, as would Piastri later on for a seperate offence. For Ferrari, the start was promising. Sainz was up to 2nd and Leclerc, up 11 places to 8th. All they needed to do was beat Norris who, unfortunately for the Scuderia, was comfortably out in front.
There were plenty of other slips, slides and whoopsies throughout the race also. Including that of, you guessed it, the struggling Sergio Perez. After getting tagged on the opening lap and sent into a frenzied spin, Perez would end his 2024 with another DNF. As to whether he returns for 2025, it is still to be seen at the time of writing. Elsewhere, Franco Colapinto would find himself with a left rear puncture, Valtteri Bottas would join Verstappen and Piastri with a time penalty before retiring due to contact with Kevin Magnussen, Alex Albon and Zhou Guanyu would be noted for false starts - the latter receiving 5 seconds, Liam Lawson would receive a stop/go penalty for a pit stop infringement before also retiring in the latter stages, and Lewis Hamilton would be struggling for pace on his final “hurrah” for Mercedes. Phew.
Despite all of this, there was some excitingly, excellent racing as well!
Take Pierre Gasly in his Alpine, for example. After a fantastic qualifying, he would jump from 6th to 3rd in the first corner before holding himself against the faster Mercedes of George Russell who would later win that particular battle. Towards the latter stages of the race Russell would also find himself in a fight with his team mate; Hamilton. After going wheel to wheel over the course of several corners, Hamilton, who was the only driver to start on hard tyres, would get the better of Russell, getting past him to finish 4th.
At the end of the day however, this race was all about the intriguing McLaren v Ferrari battle that, at times, got pretty juicy over the course of the 58 lap race. One particular memorable moment would be Ferrari’s failed undercut attempt on Norris who was so far out front, the Scuderia was ready to try anything to take the win from him. But, despite both Ferrari drivers running as high as and finishing in 2nd and 3rd, and Leclerc coming away as Driver of the Day, Norris would take the final win of the season, enough to gift McLaren their first World Constructors Championship since 1998. Second McLaren driver; Piastri, finished 10th.
McLaren’s Constructors Championship win is proving to be ever so popular in a season that needed change. It needed battles, it needed action and it needed new faces standing on the podium and alas, we were gifted exactly what we wanted.
Congratulations to McLaren for their WCC and Verstappen for his WDC. There is plenty to look forward to in 2025!
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