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It was a historic moment as McLaren won the constructor championship 26 years after the 1998 season. The two young drivers who weren't even born during the last title win brought them their long-awaited constructors championship.
All credit to Lando Norris as he maintained his lead throughout the race despite some threats from Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz. The opening lap was a disaster for McLaren as Verstappen’s dive bomb cost P2 for Oscar Piastri. Then Lando took the responsibility on his shoulders and was leading the race all the time. The British team was quickly back on their feet with Oscar Piastri finishing the race in 10th which is more than enough for the win.
LANDO NORRIS ENDS THE SEASON IN STYLE!!! 🤩#F1#AbuDhabiGPpic.twitter.com/fZloDuJdLH
— Formula 1 (@F1) December 8, 2024
Ferrari missed their title chance despite the opening disaster and all to blame Lando for being in the Pole position like a stone unmoved. Carlos Sainz completed his Ferrari journey with a P2 finish ahead of his teammate Charles Leclerc in P3.
Mercedes went for an emotional farewell as George Russell let Lewis Hamilton pass him on the final lap of the race. Hamilton will bid farewell to the Mercedes team for one last time in Abu Dhabi and join Ferrari next year. The two silver arrows Of Lewis and George finished P4 and P5.
Max Verstappen fought a lone battle with himself and finished in P6 as his teammate Sergio Perez retired from the race on the opening lap. The Mexican driver will be breathing now as he ends the disastrous 2024 season with Red Bull. Alpine and Gasly secured sixth place in the constructors after fighting Haas’s Nico Hulkenberg, who finished eighth behind him. Fernando Alonso was the ninth-fastest driver and will also be happy to end the long and tiring season. He will be relieved as Adrian Newey will join the team next year.
McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, after being taken down by Max on the opening lap, finished inside the Points table, which is very impressive for the Aussie driver. Alex Albon tried very much for his team Williams to get some points as his teammate Franco Colapinto retired from the race.
ALSO WATCH: Opening lap disaster in Abu Dhabi for McLaren's Oscar Piastri as Verstappen dive bombs
Final race results
RACE CLASSIFICATION (LAP 58/58)
— Formula 1 (@F1) December 8, 2024
Norris claims his fourth career win as McLaren clinch their first constructors' title since 1998!#F1#AbuDhabiGPpic.twitter.com/RkW6WW7FqW
Yuki Tsunoda fought hard to secure his place but finished 12th ahead of Zhou Guanyu in 13th, Lance Stroll in 14th and Jack Doohan in 15th positions. Kevin Magnussen was 16th while Liam Lawson, Valtteri Bottas, Franco Colapinto, and Sergio Perez all retired.
Ferrari will be very disappointed with the results but will appreciate their efforts to come this close to the constructors championship. Next year they will have Lewis Hamilton fighting alongside them. McLaren will have a whole lot of money and will develop their car and fight for the driver's title next year.