ABU DHABI.- Lando Norris won the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the 24th and final round of the Formula 1 season, while his team, McLarenwon the constructors’ world title this Sunday at the Yas Marina circuit.
“It’s incredible, not for me, but for the whole team, who have done an incredible job considering where we started. Thanks to everyone at McLaren, it has been tough, but winning a championship after 26 years is very special. It is a historic moment for the team,” Norris summarized.
The British driver, leader of the race from start to finish, did not allow suspense in the fight for the constructors’ title, but Ferrari played a great role, with the Spanish Carlos Sainz on the podium and the Monegasque Charles Leclerc, star of a recital at the starting from 19th position and finishing third.
“It’s a bittersweet feeling, it was the most I could get because Lando and the McLarens were very fast,” acknowledged Sainz, who is saying goodbye to Ferrari to leave his wheel to Lewis Hamilton. The Spaniard will compete with Williams.
“It has been very emotional, I have spoken with my engineer on the radio and I am very grateful for having been in this team for four years. I have shown that I can fight for poles and victories,” said Sainz.
Norris signed his fourth victory of the season and secured second place in the final classification ahead of Leclerc.
“I knew I had to take all possible risks, that’s what I did, but I started from very far away and I couldn’t do better. It hurts to finish so close, it’s a shame, but we tried everything,” Leclerc stressed.
Hamilton, the legend of seven world titles, said goodbye to Mercedes after 12 years and six crowns with an outstanding performance, finishing fourth after overtaking his teammate George Russell on the last lap.
Hamilton, through tears
Although he did not make it to the podium, when Hamilton, in tears, parked his Silver Arrow in the garage, he received a tribute, with fireworks lighting up the night at the Yas Marina circuit.
Next, in sixth place, without forcing the machine throughout the weekend, finished the four-time world champion Max Verstappen (Red Bull), who had won the drivers’ title on November 24 in Las Vegas.
The other McLaren driver, the Australian Oscar Piastri, fell to tenth position, who was hit in the first corner by Verstappen, who suffered a ten-second penalty.
One place ahead was the Spanish Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin).
