Sun Dec 08 20:22:14 UTC 2024: ## McLaren Wins Constructors’ Championship in Thrilling Abu Dhabi Finale
**Abu Dhabi, UAE** – Lando Norris secured a dominant victory at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, leading from start to finish to clinch the Constructors’ Championship for McLaren. This marks McLaren’s first constructors’ title since 1998. Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz finished second and Charles Leclerc, recovering from 19th on the grid to third, completed a double podium for the Italian team, but it wasn’t enough to overcome McLaren’s points advantage.
The race was not without incident. A first-lap clash between Max Verstappen and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri resulted in a 10-second penalty for both drivers. Piastri, despite the penalty and a further collision with Franco Colapinto, managed to finish 10th, scoring a valuable point for the team. Verstappen ultimately finished sixth.
Lewis Hamilton, in his final race for Mercedes, secured fourth place after overtaking teammate George Russell on the final lap. Elsewhere, Pierre Gasly’s seventh-place finish secured sixth position in the constructors’ championship for Alpine.
Leclerc’s impressive drive from 19th to third earned him the Driver of the Day award. Norris expressed immense pride in his team’s achievement, while post-race interviews featured discussions of the opening lap incidents between Verstappen and Piastri. The race highlights can be viewed online.
First Piper 