Abu Dhabi GP: McLaren Win First F1 Constructors Title Since 1998 As Lando Norris Dominates Yas Marina

Lando Norris delivered a masterclass at the Yas Marina Circuit, leading from pole to the chequered flag to secure the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix victory. His win also sealed McLaren’s first Constructors’ Championship in 26 years, making December 8, 2024, a historic day for the Woking-based team. (Race Highlights | More Motorsports News)

Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz took a well-earned second place, while teammate Charles Leclerc pulled off a remarkable recovery drive to claim the final podium spot. Lewis Hamilton finished fourth, with George Russell in fifth, showcasing three colours in the top five but notably no Red Bull presence.

As the curtains fell on the 2024 Formula One season, Yas Marina bore witness to breathtaking action, emotional goodbyes, and moments that will linger in fans’ hearts. Like always the Abu Dhabi race saw a chaotic first corner where Oscar Piastri was clipped by four-time reigning champion Max Verstappen.

However, there are several corners to discuss like the first that disqualified Sergio Perezin a crash, but there are also corners off the track:

Comeback Corner

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix showed an unforgettable comeback story for Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. Penalized to start from P19, the Monacan driver climbed through the field to finish P3. Once again, Leclerc proved his mettle as one of the grid’s most tenacious talents.

For McLaren, the win marked a victorious return to glory after a 26-year drought in the Constructors’ Championship. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri spearheaded a season of resurgence, delivering what the team and fans had been yearning for -- a championship title bringing echoes of Papaya's golden era.

Emotional Corner

The F1 2024 finale race was heavy on the heart for all fans of the sport. The cherished "C-Square" duo of Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc officially ended their Ferrari partnership.

Adding to the emotional weight was Lewis Hamilton’s final outing with Mercedes, closing a 12-year chapter with the Brackley-based team. Hamilton, the seven-time World Champion, is set to replace Sainz at Ferrari, while the Spaniard moves to Williams.

Hamilton’s P4 finish and farewell donuts with Mercedes were a bittersweet moment but boss Toto Wolff's comment - 'You belong to Mercedes and there will be a place for you in the Silver Arrows always' made fans smile. And there was Sainz’s celebratory spin in the scarlet Ferrari, for the last time in red.

The race also marked the conclusion of Valtteri Bottas’ and Zhou Guanyu’s time with Kick Sauber. Bottas’ puncture after a collision with Kevin Magnussen led to a limping finish, a somber end to his tenure. Bottas did not finish the race, but Zhou Guanyu ended on P13.

Despite Ferrari's valiant effort to secure a Constructors’ Title after 2008, penalties and misfortune struck again, leaving the Italian manufacturers as runners-up -- another chapter to Ferrari’s tale of "so close, yet so far."

The race might also mark the end of the Mexican - Sergio Perez's end with Red Bull suffered the very first lap slap after a collision with Valtteri Bottas.

McLaren closed the 2024 F1 season, amassing 666 points with six wins and 21 podiums, clinching the Constructors’ Championship. Ferrari narrowly missed the title, finishing second with 652 points, five wins, and 22 podiums. Red Bull secured third place with 589 points, nine wins, and 18 podiums. Mercedes managed 468 points from four wins and nine podiums. Aston Martin finished fifth with 94 points - no wins, no podium.