F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2024 results: Final classification with penalties applied...

F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2024 results: Final classification with penalties applied

The 2024 Formula 1 season wrapped up in spectacular fashion with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where McLaren sealed a historic constructors’ championship. Lando Norris took a brilliant victory, leading the team to glory ahead of the Ferraris of Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc. The win marked a stunning end to the season for McLaren, which had been locked in a tense battle for the championship throughout the year.

Despite Norris’s triumph, the race was anything but smooth for McLaren. At the start, the team’s hopes of securing the title were jeopardized when Max Verstappen collided with Oscar Piastri, sending both drivers tumbling down the order. Verstappen, the reigning world champion, was handed a penalty for his role in the incident, which significantly affected his chances of finishing near the top. Piastri, on the other hand, received a separate penalty for a later collision with Franco Colapinto, adding to McLaren’s challenges.

The Ferrari duo of Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc capitalized on these incidents, with Sainz securing second place behind Norris. Leclerc, in particular, put in an incredible performance to recover from a 10-place grid penalty, which had relegated him to the back of the pack. The Monegasque driver charged through the field, displaying remarkable racecraft to finish third and stand on the podium, completing Ferrari’s strong showing.

Lewis Hamilton, who had already announced that the Abu Dhabi race would mark his last outing with Mercedes, delivered a heroic drive from the back of the grid. The seven-time world champion, like Leclerc, had been hit with a grid penalty, but he fought his way up to finish fourth. His performance was a fitting end to his long and successful partnership with the German team. Hamilton’s teammate, George Russell, completed the top five after a solid race, keeping both Mercedes cars in competitive positions.

Verstappen’s race was marred by penalties and the early collision with Piastri, which meant he could only recover to sixth place. While it was a disappointing finish for the Red Bull driver, he still ended the season as the drivers’ world champion, thanks to his dominant form earlier in the year.

Further down the order, Pierre Gasly delivered a solid performance for Alpine, securing seventh place. The Frenchman was followed by Nico Hulkenberg, who impressed once again for Haas by finishing eighth. Fernando Alonso, driving for Aston Martin, managed to take ninth after a tough race, while Oscar Piastri rounded out the top ten for McLaren, despite his earlier collision and penalty.

The final classified finishers were led by Alex Albon, who brought his Williams home in 11th place, albeit one lap down. Yuki Tsunoda and Zhou Guanyu also finished a lap behind, while Lance Stroll and Jack Doohan had difficult afternoons, rounding out the lower positions.

Several drivers failed to finish the race, including Valtteri Bottas, who retired his Kick Sauber car, Franco Colapinto after his incident with Piastri, and Sergio Perez, who also failed to see the checkered flag.

The race’s fastest lap was set by Kevin Magnussen, who clocked in at 1:25.637 on lap 57, showcasing the potential of the Haas car in clean air. Magnussen, however, finished down in 16th place, a lap behind the leaders.

The 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix not only marked the conclusion of another thrilling Formula 1 season but also cemented McLaren’s resurgence as a top team. Norris’s victory, combined with the solid performance of his teammate Piastri throughout the year, ensured that McLaren secured the constructors’ championship, a fitting reward for their consistent efforts. Meanwhile, Ferrari and Mercedes will look ahead to 2025, hoping to challenge McLaren’s newfound dominance.

This race, dominated by penalties and fierce on-track battles, leaves fans eager for what lies ahead in the next season. As the dust settles, McLaren can celebrate their hard-earned title, while the rest of the grid prepares for a new chapter in 2025.