Bortoleto clinches 2024 F2 championship as Hadjar's challenge ends after 2 laps in Abu Dhabi GP

Formula 2 season is over, and Gabriel Bortoleto has been crowned the champion after finishing P2 in the championship decider in Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina circuit. He also helped his team Invicta Racing to claim their first team title.

AIX racing team Joshua Duerksen won the race ahead of Bortoleto, and MP Motorsports' Richard Verschoor was P3 on the podium. The race started and Martins had a bad start which Bortoleto took advantage of and went into the lead. 

Also Read: Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto Formula 1 journey: From Senna’s Land, McLaren’s junior driver, backed by Alonso

Gabriel's title rival Isack Hadjar started from P3 but couldn't move his car as it stalled at the starting line. He was wheeled into the pit lane and again started the race, gave his best but was already a lap down and went to the pits ending his race.  

Massive disappointment for Isack 😢💔#F2#AbuDhabiGPhttps://t.co/MLe1HKbI3apic.twitter.com/f4NkKYCOve

— Formula 2 (@Formula2) December 8, 2024

This guaranteed Bortoelto’s championship for the second consecutive rookie year. He then raced with Duerksen and went into a lockup, giving an advantage to the Paraguayan driver, who took the lead in the race. Finally, Duerksen won the race ahead of Bortoleto in P2 and Verschoor in P3. V. Martins finished fourth ahead of future Haas driver Ollie Bearman and J. Marti in sixth place. D.Beganovic came seventh ahead of A. Cordell and O. Goethe in eighth and ninth.

R. Miyata was tenth ahead of P.Aron and India’s Kush Maini in the 11th and 12th positions. K. Maini also finished the season in 13th place with 74 points. L.ornaroli and J. Bennett are in the 13th and 14th positions. The 15th and 16th place drivers are L. Browning and C. Mansell.

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F2 Abu Dhabi Results

#F2#AbuDhabiGP The excitement for a championship battle between Bortoleto & Hadjar went out like a candle as Hadjar stalled at the start and that was all she wrote with Bortoleto CHAMPION. Here's the result of the final Feature Race of 2024. #MsportXtra@insidef2@ymcofficialpic.twitter.com/jqZhe6lm5y

— #MsportXtra © (@MsportXtra) December 8, 2024

The final three drivers in Abu Dhabi are M.Esterson, C.Shields and Isack Hadjar. The Brazilian driver will carry his championship-winning momentum into the Sauber team next year. He will team up with Nico Hulkenberg. Audi will take over Sauber in 2026 and race with their brand name with the new engine regulations.

Gabriel should prove his worth to the team. He will have to work hard and bring some points to the team to secure his seat for the 2026 season. Apart from Bortoleto, we will see other F2 drivers like  Kimi Antonelli in Mercedes, and Ollie Bearman in Haas.

Also Read: Nico Hulkenberg slapped with a grid penalty after a powerful Abu Dhabi GP qualifying