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McLaren vs Ferrari: F1's Legendary rivals face off again in 2024

Ferrari and McLaren's teams want to take the maximum points out of the Qatar GP weekend to have a lead in the constructor's championship before the Abu Dhabi race.

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Venkatakrishnan
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McLaren vs Ferrari

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In Formula 1 only two teams have a big legacy of winning multiple championships and giving greatest-ever title fights. The two oldest teams Ferarri and McLaren over the past have engaged in many iconic battles. The greatest thing about this rivalry is that it is still on in 2024. McLaren and Ferrari are fighting for the 2024 constructors title.

McLaren vs Ferrari rivalry

The British team is leading the title with 30+ points ahead of Ferrari. There are still 2 races remaining, one in Qatar and the final in Abu Dhabi. But the battle we see here is not the first time. Both teams have produced some of the greatest battles and Formula 1 drivers in their long tenure in the sport. The two iconic teams will fight for one mo to win the constructor's championship in the 2024 season.

James Hunt vs Nikki Lauda

The first-ever rivalry between Ferrari and McLaren happened during the 1976 season. James Hunt became the driver for the McLaren team for the first time, Nikki Lauda was already driving for Ferrari and became F1 champion in the 1975 season. McLaren betted on James Hunt to stop Lauda, and the two had very intense battles throughout the year. Finally, James Hunt became the champion as Lauda had a huge fire accident in the Nurburgring which cost him lose some points.

The next year, Lauda won the title, and the rivalry continued until the 1979 season when Hunt announced his retirement from the sport. It was regarded as Formula One’s first-ever rivalry. You can watch it from the movie 'Rush' starring Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Bruhl.

Also Read: Qatar GP: Max Verstappen handed with Grid Penalty for slowing George Russell.

Prost vs Senna

The two F1 greats are highly regarded as one of the most amazing drivers and legends of the sport. The drivers were once teammates in McLaren and they had some amazing intra-team battles. The French driver Prost went to Ferrari after winning the 1989 Formula 1 drivers championship. After that, the rivalry between the drivers went to a peak in the 1990 season. Both drivers gave some of the best races in Formula 1 from 1988 to 1993 until Prost's retirement. Senna also died during the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix. 

Mika Hakkinen vs Michael Schumacher

Formula 1 legends Schumacher and Hakkinen have been very close friends since childhood. But they were also the greatest foes on the track. Their rivalry started in the 1990 season but got heated when Hakkinen signed as a driver for McLaren in the 1994 season. Schumacher won the title in the 1994 and 1995 seasons and then moved to Ferrari in the 1996 season.

In 1998, the rivalry peaked when Hakkinen got a competitive car against Schumacher. He dominated Schumacher with his pace and consistency and won the driver's title in the 1998 and 1999 seasons. Both were very determined to clinch their third title in 2000 but Schumacher emerged as the victor and won his third title in 2000. Hakkinen then tried for one more time in 2001, after which he announced his retirement from Formula 1.

Also Read McLaren's 1998 Triumph: Let's Go Back to Time Before Norris and Piastri existed.

Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Raikkonen

In 2007, Lewis Hamilton made his debut in Formula 1 for McLaren. In his debut year, he impressed everyone and fought for the world title against Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen and his teammate and reigning champion Fernando Alonso. Lewis Hamilton and his teammate Alonso won 4 races each while Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen won 6 races. The Finland driver won his title in the final race held in Brazil by beating Lewis Hamilton by one point. Lewis Hamilton made a pitlane entry mistake in China which cost him his first-ever world title in his debut season.

Felipe Massa vs Lewis Hamilton

It could be easily said that it was the greatest McLaren and Ferrari battle in the modern era. The battle became very intense, even off the track. An incident occurred at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix when both drivers rubbed shoulders. It also went to the showdown in Brazil GP, and Hamilton won the race by a single point. The Brazilian driver Felippe Massa is still fighting for his lost title in legal ways.

Also Read: Qatar GP Qualifying Results: Max Verstappen is back in Pole! Spoils McLaren, Ferrari plans

Ferrari Formula 1 McLaren Qatar Grand Prix F1
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