The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was much more than just a final race of the season. As ceremonial fireworks lit up the main straight of the Yas Marina Circuit, they marked the culmination of intense rivalries, heartfelt farewells and moments of triumph.
The paddock buzzed with emotions, from the celebration of a long-awaited championship to the quiet reflections of those preparing for new challenges and bittersweet farewells. The 2024 Formula 1 season, a 24-race spectacle that reignited competitiveness and brought back on-track excitement and off-track drama, was drawing to a close.
Mega victory for McLaren
Taking the checkered flag for the fourth and final time this year was Lando Norris, who executed McLaren’s mission to regain the Constructors’ Championship after 26 years with a near-perfect race. Despite a down start, the team found their footing and from there, charged forward and never looked back.
The 666 points McLaren collected over the nine months is far more than the six race wins, 21 podiums and eight fastest lap points. The Woking-based unit managed to score every weekend, with second-placed Norris (374) leading the way and teammate Oscar Piastri close behind (292).
The Australian, in only his second full season, proved to be the consistency factor that McLaren needed. He only finished outside the top 10 once, but completed every lap (a total of 1,444) becoming only the fourth driver to do so. While Norris’s ambition to steal the crown from eventual champion Max Verstappen failed, his team’s crowning achievement more than made up for it.
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McLaren took 17 rounds – after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix – to get ahead of Red Bull, who were struggling with just one performing car: that of leader Verstappen. Even a resurgent Ferrari could not dampen its dream of reclaiming the distinction last won in 1998, despite the Italian team fighting to the end.
Fight Ferrari
A 21-point deficit proved a little too much for Ferrari, but its two drivers, Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc, pushed on until the final lap before settling for second place. They completed the podium in second and third place respectively, a relatively strong result considering their shaky start.
Leclerc had a brilliant race, arguably one of his best, making a staggering 16 moves from 19th to finish P3. Ahead of him was Sainz, who couldn’t keep up with Norris’ more competitive car but ensured he would bid farewell to the prancing horse in the proper way – on the podium for them one last time.
Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc of Ferrari. | Photo credit: Getty Images
Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc of Ferrari. | Photo credit: Getty Images
The Spaniard was already seen in the Williams the following day for post-season testing, completing laps ahead of his new journey. While some will leave the paddock, Sainz is among the few to change garages, including seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton (below), who took fourth place after moving up from 16th. Passing the other Mercedes on the final lap, Hamilton had his last hurray with the Silver Arrows as he prepares to take the wheel of the Ferrari in 2025.
One last time “Hammer”
After 12 years at Mercedes, which saw Hamilton win six titles and the team eight, he begins a new chapter in his historic Formula 1 career with one of its fiercest competitors. It was the end of a brilliant partnership which saw a period of dominance in which the Briton broke numerous records to take the team to the top.
However, after the heartbreaking 2021 season, the Brackley-based unit is no longer the same. It was unable to deliver a competitive car, leading to difficulties for its drivers, Hamilton and George Russell, in the middle of the field. The latter’s single victory in 2022 was the only major achievement during a difficult two years. But 2024 saw glimmers of hope for both the team – with four P1 finishes – and for Hamilton, who reached the podium after 945 days of waiting.
Lewis Hamilton does donuts on the track to celebrate his final race with Mercedes. | Photo credit: Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton does donuts on the track to celebrate his final race with Mercedes. | Photo credit: Getty Images
Winning at Silverstone, in his backyard, for a record ninth time might have been Hamilton’s best moment to get his rhythm back, but his car didn’t cooperate. Another victory was handed to him in Belgium after his teammate’s disqualification, but that wasn’t enough for the 39-year-old to hold out for another year, hoping for positive changes as new regulations come into force in 2026.
Choosing to wear scarlet next year, Hamilton will be seeking an eighth world title in a field that has revealed its true potential this time around: there have been seven different winners, each taking at least two victories for the first time in the sport. history. Adding to Hamilton’s challenges will be the entry of a handful of rookie drivers, including Kimi Andrea Antonelli, who will take his seat.
Ready to take on new challenges
If the season has provided a glimpse of what’s in store for next year, it’s that reigning champions Verstappen and McLaren will have their work cut out for them. The Dutchman, who was arguably the best of the lot in winning his fourth consecutive title, will find some familiar faces and some new ones in his rearview mirror. McLaren will also be well aware of the battles ahead.
The 10 teams will have one last chance to make the most of the current rules before starting from scratch in 2026, with significant changes to be made to the cars and possibly the grid itself (Cadillac has reached an agreement “in principle” to participate in the grid in 2026).
A lot will change in the coming calendar year and beyond, but one constant remains: the long three-month wait for the next season to begin.
