Hamilton’s Ferrari Dream Is Over: ....

Hamilton’s Ferrari Dream Is Over: ….read more ‾

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix marked an exhilarating end to the 2024 F1 season, as McLaren and Lando Norris clinched the constructors’ title, while Lewis Hamilton’s hopes of joining Ferrari were dashed. Despite a strong effort towards the end of the season, Ferrari’s championship hopes were hindered when a deleted lap time for Charles Leclerc handed the title to McLaren, who have proven to be the team to beat this year.

The race itself did not disappoint, packed with drama from start to finish. A collision between Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri on the opening lap set the tone, with Verstappen receiving a 10-second penalty for causing the incident. Verstappen, never one to hold back, expressed his displeasure with the decision, despite the stewards finding him at fault. His teammate, Sergio Perez, had a race to forget as well, spinning out on the first lap and ultimately retiring from the race.

With so much happening in the final race of the season, there’s a lot to digest. McLaren celebrated their title win, while Hamilton, despite his relative ‘going out on a high’ with Mercedes, had to watch his dream of joining Ferrari slip away. Meanwhile, Verstappen, the reigning champion, continued his trend of lashing out, further solidifying his reputation as F1’s “man who yells at clouds.”

But beyond the headlines, the Abu Dhabi GP also offered a glimpse into the future of F1, particularly in terms of how Charles Leclerc might stack up against Hamilton when they team up at Ferrari in 2025. Leclerc, who had to recover from a poor qualifying session, showcased his exceptional talent by finishing P3 in the race, a drive that many considered to be the real performance of the day. Leclerc’s ability to recover from adversity highlights his potential to challenge Hamilton, and based on this season’s form, it’s clear he could quickly put an end to any honeymoon period for Hamilton at Ferrari.

Leclerc is arguably a superior driver to Mercedes’ George Russell, and if this race is any indication, he might be a serious contender for Hamilton’s seat in the pecking order once they share the Ferrari garage. Hamilton’s move to Ferrari has generated much excitement, but the reality is that Leclerc is already a proven winner, and this drive in Abu Dhabi was another reminder of his capabilities.

The drama wasn’t just confined to the title fight, however. Max Verstappen, as always, found himself at the center of attention. His collision with Piastri ignited a series of events that made the race much more exciting than it might have been otherwise. The incident triggered spins, penalties, and more controversies, making what could have been a dull season finale into a race full of unexpected twists and turns.

Verstappen’s reaction to the penalty, in which he called the stewards “stupid idiots,” was par for the course, as the Dutch driver has rarely been shy about sharing his opinion. However, his actions throughout the season have earned him a reputation with the stewards, and his aggressive driving has set a precedent for harsher penalties. His controversial moves, like his aggressive racing with Lando Norris in Mexico, have lit the fuse for tougher decisions when incidents occur. As Martin Brundle aptly pointed out, if Verstappen doesn’t want penalties, he should avoid running into other drivers.

While Verstappen may be the best driver on the grid right now, as his critics and fans alike debate, there is no denying that he remains F1’s most captivating figure. His on-track performances, often mired in controversy, ensure that he stays at the center of the sport’s narrative. But heading into 2025, Verstappen will need to adjust to a new challenge: fighting for position more often. For much of his dominant run, he’s enjoyed races where he barely needed to defend his position, but that might change in the coming seasons as rivals like Leclerc and Hamilton will be far more competitive.

As the 2024 season concludes, the sport looks ahead to 2025 with plenty of questions still to be answered. Can McLaren maintain their momentum? Will Ferrari finally challenge for the title? And how will Verstappen handle the increased pressure from his rivals? One thing is certain—F1 remains as thrilling and unpredictable as ever.