McLaren crowned constructors' champs as Norris takes Abu Dhabi GP
Lando Norris won the final race of the 2024 season in Abu Dhabi to clinch McLaren's first constructors' championship since 1998.
McLaren beat Ferrari by 14 points to secure the title with the Scuderia's Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc finishing second and third, respectively.
"Papaya on top. Congrats to everyone," Norris said on his onboard radio post-race. "Incredible, so proud of you all. You all deserve this. Thank you so much. It's been a special year. Next year is going to be my year, too."
Oscar Piastri finished 10th after a Turn 1 collision with Max Verstappen dropped him down the grid. He was also served a 10-second penalty for causing a collision shortly after. However, a Norris victory was enough to clinch a championship no matter where Ferrari placed.
Lewis Hamilton capped off his last race with Mercedes by coming in 4th, one place ahead of teammate George Russell. Despite starting the race in 16th, Hamilton passed his younger counterpart on the last lap of the race. The seven-time world champion is off to Ferrari next season.
"Thank you for all the courage, the determination, and the passion for seeing me and supporting me," Hamilton told his team on his cooldown lap. "What started out as a leap of faith turned into a journey into the history books. So, we did everything together and I'm so, so grateful to everyone here back to the factory. From the bottom of my heart, all the best."
World champion Max Verstappen ended in sixth place while Red Bull's other driver, Sergio Perez, retired in the early stages. Abu Dhabi is rumored to be Perez's final race as a Red Bull driver.
Norris ends the year as runner-up in the drivers' championship, becoming the first McLaren driver to end in the top two since Jenson Button in 2011. Leclerc rounded out the top three in the drivers' standings.
The Abu Dhabi GP ends a 24-race campaign, the longest in F1 history.