Norris takes Abu Dhabi win ahead of Ferraris to seal Constructors’ title for McLaren

Abu Dhabi, 8 Dec 2024: Lando Norris took a controlled lights Abu Dhabi Grand victory to seal the 2024 FIA Formula One Constructors’ Championship title for McLaren as Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz took second place and Charles Leclerc stormed through the field to ensure the contest remained tense right to the chequered flag. 

When the lights went out at the start, Norris and McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri got away well, but from fourth on the grid, Max Vestappen reacted even better. The Red Bull driver passed Sainz and as the McLarens went into Turn 1 the four-time champion dived down the inside to attack Piastri.  

The move was foolhardy, however, and as the corner tightened the Dutchman collided with his Australian rival. Both spun but while Verstappen was somehow able to slot straight back into the pack in P11, Piastri went off track and dropped to the back of the field. Verstappen’s over-ambitious move would quickly result in a 10-second time penalty from the Stewards for causing the collision. 

Moments later, there was another incident. Sergio Pérez was hit by Sauber’s Valtteri Bottas and though the Red Bull driver was able to rejoin in last place behind Piastri he was soon forced to pull over at the side f the track and retire from what could be his final race with the team. 

The incidents led to the Virtual Safety Car being deployed, and under the caution Norris led ahead of Sainz, Alpine’s Pierre Gasly, Mercedes’ George Russell and Haas’ Nico Hülkenberg. Behind them, Leclerc had profited greatly most from the incidents, and by the end of lap one the Ferrari driver had climbed from 19th to eighth place. 

When the VSC was withdrawn, Leclerc made his way past Magnussen and Fernando Alonso to claim sixth, and Verstappen followed suit, climbing to eighth place by lap 12. There were more woes for Piastri, however, as the McLaren driver clipped the rear of Franco Colapinto’s Williams at the restart and like Max, the Australian was handed a 10-second time penalty. As the first stint elapsed, Leclerc and Verstappen continued their progress and by lap 15 the Ferrari driver ​had moved up to fifth, with the Red Bull drive just four seconds behind in sixth place. 

With Norris four seconds clear of Sainz at the front and 15 ahead of Russell, fourth-placed Gasly was the first of the frontrunner to make a pit stop and the Frenchman shed his starting Mediums for a set of Hard tyres on lap 15. He rejoined in ninth ahead of new team-mate Jack Doohan. 

Gasly’s rivals didn’t immediately respond, but on lap 21 Leclerc attempted to undercut Russell and after taking Hard tyres the Monegasque driver rejoined behind Gasly before clawing his way past the Alpine driver to claim P6. 

Sainz was next in, on lap 26 and McLaren covered the Spaniard by pitting Norris on the following lap, with Russell also making his way in from third place. Verstappen climbed to P3 but despite complaining that his tyres were fading, he stayed out on his ageing Medium tyres, hoping for a Safety Car.

It didn’t materialise, however, and he pitted on lap 30 to bolt Hard tyres and serve his 10-second penalty. After emerging in 11th place he swiftly cleared the Williams of Alex Albon and when Piastri pitted on lap 33 to serve his penalty and fit fresh tyres, Verstappen powered past Fernando Alonso to grab eighth behind Hamilton who had just pitted for a set of Medium tyres and a rapid final stint. 

The seven-time champion was soon on the move and he was quickly past Hülkenberg and Gasly. Verstappen then closed in on the Haas and with 15 laps left he powered past the German. He then reeled in Gasly and on lap 46 he swooped past the Frenchman in Turn 9 to rise to sixth place behind Hamilton. 

That as far as Verstappen would rise. With Hamilton on fresher Medium tyres there was no chance of closing in on the Briton and as Norris took his fourth win of the season to earn McLaren its first Constructors’ crown since 1998. Sainz and Leclerc followed while Hamilton ended his Mercedes career by passing team-mate Russell to take fourth place. Behind Verstaoppen, Gasly’s seventh place ahead of Hülkenberg meant that Alpine beat Haas to sixth place in Constructors’ standings. Alonso crossed the line in P9 and the final points went to Piastri. 

2024 FIA Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Race 
1 Lando Norris McLaren/Mercedes 58 1:26’33.291 
2 Carlos Sainz Ferrari 58 1:26’39.123 5.832
3 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 58 1:27’05.219 31.928
4 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 58 1:27’09.774 36.483
5 George Russell Mercedes 58 1:27’10.829 37.538
6 Max Verstappen Red Bull/Honda RBPT 58 1:27’23.138 49.847
7 Pierre Gasly Alpine/Renault 58 1:27’45.851 1’12.560
8 Nico Hülkenberg Haas/Ferrari 58 1:27’48.845 1’15.554
9 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin/Mercedes 58 1:27’55.664 1’22.373
10 Oscar Piastri McLaren/Mercedes 58 1:27’57.112 1’23.821
11 Alexander Albon Williams/Mercedes 57 1:26’44.542 1 lap /11.251
12 Yuki Tsunoda RB/Honda RBPT 57 1:26’48.029 1 lap /14.738
13 Zhou Guanyu Sauber/Ferrari 57 1:26’50.595 1 lap /17.304
14 Lance Stroll Aston Martin/Mercedes 57 1:26’51.764 1 lap /18.473
15 Jack Doohan Alpine/Renault 57 1:26’59.846 1 lap /26.555
16 Kevin Magnussen Haas/Ferrari 57 1:27’50.888 1 lap /1’17.597
17 Liam Lawson RB/Honda RBPT 55 1:24’36.949 Not running
     Valtteri Bottas Sauber/Ferrari 30 47’27.280 Accident damage
     Franco Colapinto Williams/Mercedes 26 41’10.430 Retirement
     Sergio Pérez Red Bull/Honda RBPT 0 – Retirement