McLaren wins its first F1 constructors’ championship since 1998 with decisive Lando Norris victory

Meanwhile, Sainz tucked into second place early on behind Norris and finished there. Leclerc, who started in 19th place after taking a grid penalty for exceeding his allotment of power unit components, charged all the way up to sixth place in just the first 10 laps.

But Norris controlled the race at the front and opened up a gap that nobody could challenge, one that proved crucial for his team.

Piastri finished 10th after getting a 10-second penalty of his own for running into the back of Williams driver Franco Colapinto.

Red Bull dominance ended this year

Red Bull finished in third place overall after dominating the last two seasons, with McLaren and Ferrari — and occasionally Mercedes — improving their cars and gaining ground, delivering thrilling and unpredictable battles for fans who want close competition.

Verstappen still won the driver’s championship — his fourth in a row — enabled by a strong showing in the early part of the season before his struggles began. After winning seven out of the first 10 races, Verstappen won just two out of the last 14. He clinched it in Las Vegas last month, becoming just the sixth driver in F1 history to win four or more championships. Norris finished second in the standings after a breakthrough season.

The season marked a fresh challenge to Red Bull after two seasons where it was untouchable, including a 2023 season where it won a staggering 21 out of 22 races.

But by the end of the 2024 season, it wasn’t even a contender for the constructors’ trophy, with Red Bull second driver Sergio Perez having a miserable season. He finished a distant eighth in the driver’s standings, marking his first winless season during his fourth year with the team. Perez couldn’t muster a single top-five finish in the last 18 races. Perez retired from the Abu Dhabi race after a collision on the first lap, which was deemed not to be his fault.

Perez’s future racing with Red Bull is deeply uncertain, even though he is contracted with the team for next year.

Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton finished fourth in his last race for Mercedes, ending the most successful driver-team partnership in F1 history. Hamilton will join Ferrari early next year, replacing Sainz, who is joining Williams.

“Thank you for all the courage, the determination and the passion,” Hamilton told his team over the radio. “What started out as a leap of faith turned into a journey into the history books.”

Jack Doohan finished 15th in his first race for Alpine in Abu Dhabi as he replaces the Haas-bound Esteban Ocon full time next season.

The 18-year-old Formula 2 driver Kimi Antonelli will replace Hamilton at Mercedes, racing alongside George Russell.

Formula 2 driver Oliver Bearman is joining Haas. And Gabriel Bortoleto, who won the Formula 2 championship in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, is slated to drive for Kick Sauber next season.