Norris Wins, McLaren Claims First Constructors' Title Since 1998
Summary
Lando Norris clinched McLaren's first Formula 1 constructors' championship since 1998 with a dominant victory at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Starting from pole position, Norris led the race from start to finish, finishing 5.8 seconds ahead of Ferrari's Carlos Sainz, who took second, while Charles Leclerc completed the podium after an impressive recovery from 19th place. Despite a chaotic race marred by incidents and retirements, including Oscar Piastri being spun out by Max Verstappen at the start, Norris's strong performance ensured McLaren secured the championship by a narrow 13-point margin against Ferrari.
This achievement marks a significant turnaround for McLaren, highlighting their resurgence in performance after facing challenges in previous seasons. Team principal Andrea Stella's leadership and structural changes within the team have been pivotal in enabling this comeback. Norris's victory also celebrated his remarkable four-win season, although he finished second to Max Verstappen in the drivers' standings. As the 2024 season concluded, the victory was a testament to McLaren’s resilience and their potential for future success in Formula 1.