Hanna Ifri
Under the shine of Yas Marina, the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix delivered a fitting conclusion to one of the most captivating seasons in recent Formula 1 history. While Lando Norris took an amazing victory to secure McLaren’s first Constructors’ Championship in over two decades, the race was more than just finishing on the top step of the podium – it was a heartfelt farewell to the end of an era. With seasoned veterans departing, drivers switching teams, and rising stars uncertain of their futures, the paddock was awash with emotion. Impact’s Hanna Ifri has the story of F1’s 2024 season finale.
As Lando passed the chequered flag, the McLaren garage erupted in celebrations as they ended their 26-year long drought. But as all that was happening, there were more quiet and silent moments of reflection. With Lewis Hamilton saying goodbye to his team of 11 years, to Carlos Sainz’s final lap in red before getting ready to wear the Williams blue, Franco Colapinto and Valterri Bottas’ heartfelt gratitude over the radio, the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix felt like the end of an era.
Qualifying in Pole Position, Norris held onto his position as he led the race with Carlos Sainz on his tail. Victory wasn’t too sweet for McLaren as they started the race with Max Verstappen touching Oscar Piastri, sending both of them spinning at the first corner. Luckily for Verstappen, he managed to get into 14th while Piastri found himself going from second to last. The chaos didn’t end there as Checo Perez also spun-out, allowing Charles Leclerc, who qualified 19th due to his 10 position grid penalty, to climb up to 8th.
With Charles Leclerc climbing up all those positions, there was a brief moment of wonder – was Ferrari going to snatch that Constructors’ Championship from McLaren?
Lap two and the Virtual Safety Car came out with Perez retiring in the final score. At the front of the grid, Lando Norris was leading former teammate Carlos Sainz as well as Pierre Gasly, George Russell and Nico Hulkenburg, who was out here to prove himself during his final race. Unfortunately for the back of the grid, things weren’t going smoothly as Oscar Piastri hit the back of Colapinto’s car under the VSC, with both of them suffering damage to their cars.
Verstappen was handed a 10 second time penalty after further investigation
To the stewards, the spin in the first corner didn’t go unnoticed as Verstappen was handed a 10 second time penalty after further investigation. The FIA stewards didn’t go easy on their penalty distribution as Bottas found himself with the same penalty for hitting Perez while Piastri received one for hitting Colapinto.
As Leclerc continued to climb up the grid, Liam Lawson’s pit didn’t go fantastically with his left-front wheel not being fit correctly. One lap later and he was back in the pits to get that wheel tightened, with the potential of a penalty on the way, Lawson continued to race with low expectations.
Just under halfway through the race, we saw Franco Colapinto – Formula One’s beloved rookie of the season – retire with a power unit issue, with no confirmation of what is left in his future, the Argentine driver ended his final Grand Prix on a low.
“I’m sorry Franco, this was not how it was supposed to be… It’s been a pleasure this year.” – James Vowles, Williams Team Principal.
Following the first two retirements, Valtteri Bottas joined the lot after colliding with Kevin Magnussen at turn six.
After 30 laps, Max Verstappen finally served his 10-second time penalty for his previous move on Oscar Piastri and didn’t seem too happy coming out of the pits as he referred to the stewards as “stupid idiots” as he fell back to 11th. Following the first two retirements, Valtteri Bottas joined the lot after colliding with Kevin Magnussen at turn six.
Following Verstappen a few laps later, Piastri served his penalty, and all his previous effort was washed away as he came out in 15th. Luckily for him, he managed to gain some positions and just about make his way into the points. All while that was happening, his teammate, Lando Norris led the race with a solid five second gap from Carlos Sainz.
Fans watched Lewis Hamilton do donuts for the last time in his Mercedes
With a 5.8 second lead, Lando Norris crossed the finish line ahead of Sainz and secured McLaren’s long awaited Constructors’ Championship. Joining them up on the podium was Sainz’s teammate, Charles Leclerc, who took the moment to appreciate Carlos’ years in red with a heartfelt message to the Spaniard. Amidst the celebrations and champagne, fans watched Lewis Hamilton do donuts for the last time in his Mercedes, thanking his engineer Peter Bonnigton, team principal Toto Wolff and the team that shaped him into the racer he is today.
Last night’s race was more than just a race, each driver left their mark on a night that felt like a crossroads for Formula 1 itself – celebrating its past while hurtling into an exciting and unpredictable future. With just about two months until the pre-season testing in Bahrain, fans and drivers alike take this moment to reflect on the 2024 season and wait to see what’s in stock for the 2025 season.
Hanna Ifri
Featured image courtesy of Abhinand Venugopal via Unsplash. Image use license found here (Unsplash). No changes were made to this image.
In article image 1 courtesy of @f1 via Instagram. No changes were made to this image.
In article image 2 courtesy of @f1 via Instagram. No changes were made to this image.
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