Lando Norris stormed to victory in Abu Dhabi (Image: Getty)
An exemplary drive from helped secure their first Constructors’ Championship title since 1998 at the . The Brit led home to end ‘s charge in style.
has dominated headlines heading into the season finale, and he was in the wars at Turn One on the opening lap. The Dutchman tagged Oscar Piastri after an audacious lunge up the inside, sending both drivers into a spin.
Verstappen picked up a 10-second time penalty as a result of the clash, all but ending his podium hopes, while Piastri’s race was ruined, shifting the responsibility for ’s title fight onto the shoulders of race leader and polesitter Norris.
The reigning world champion’s team-mate also had a miserable opening lap. He was tagged by Valtteri Bottas and lost the clutch in the aftermath, ending what could be his final F1 race with a retirement.
Some of F1’s other departing stars were also denied fitting send-offs. Bottas went on to collide with , shattering his right front wheel rim, while Franco Colapinto’s race, already hampered by an early puncture, was brought to a premature end by a power unit problem.
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Lewis Hamilton stormed through to P4 in his final Mercedes race (Image: Getty)
One of the major beneficiaries of the early chaos was Charles Leclerc. After a brief virtual safety car, the Monegasque racer climbed from the back of the grid to eighth, giving a fighting chance in their battle with .
Unfortunately for Fred Vasseur’s team, Norris was unwavering at the front of the field. The driver set a furious pace, while Sainz and Leclerc were powerless to follow suit. Further back in the field, was quietly setting up a late charge on fresh medium compound tyres after a long first stint on hards.
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Despite being 14 seconds behind his team-mate after clearing and , Hamilton whittled down the gap and made the pass on around the outside of Turn Nine on the final lap to seal a remarkable comeback drive.
While for Hamilton, all eyes will be on his first season with in 2025, for his future colleague Leclerc it was heartbreak in the present. The 27-year-old was disconsolate after the chequered flag, his comeback drive ruled obsolete by Norris’ commanding win.