The possibly last race of Valtteri Bottas’ F1 career was already ruined in the opening round.
16:30•Updated 17:05
The 2024 F1 season ended with the Abu Dhabi race. Max Verstappen had already secured the championship, but the team championship was still in the final race between Ferrari and McLaren.
Ferrari’s previous championship is from 2008. McLaren has won the title most recently Mika Häkkinen in the first championship season in 1998. The manufacturers’ championship has gone to either Red Bull or Mercedes since the 2010 season.
Even before the race, it was certain that the power of the F1 series would change after a historic period. Never before have two teams dominated the manufacturers’ series for so long.
For McLaren, the race got off to a rough start when Max Verstappen was ruined by the second driver Oscar Piastri in the opening corner of the race. During the dramatic opening lap of Ferrari Charles Leclerc rose from the tail of the group to the points.
So it all depended on the one who started from the pole Lando from Norris. The British driver withstood the pressure and drove to the checkered flag in first place.
This was enough for McLaren to win the manufacturers’ championship. At the same time, Norris took the World Championship silver. Bronze went to Leclerc.
Sainz was second in his last Ferrari race. Leclerc was third.
Finnish shock Valtteri Bottas the race was already ruined in the opening round. The Finn, who started the race from the ninth grid, made a good climb, but in the middle of the lap he drifted into the bag and hit to Sergio Perez. Bottas’ front wing broke and he received a ten-second time penalty for the situation.
Finally, the race ended in a rough way when the tires of Bottas’ car locked during braking and he hit to Kevin Magnussen in the middle of the race. The Finn had to interrupt.
The race may have been the last of Bottas’ F1 career. He does not have a contract for next season. Also for Magnussen, the race could be the last of his career.
Seven times world champion Lewis Hamilton rose from the rear in the competition to fourth place. The race was the last for Mercedes for the Briton, who is moving to Ferrari.
Abu Dhabi GP results
1. Lando Norris, McLaren
2. Carlos Sainz, Ferrari
3. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
4. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
5. George Russell, Mercedes
6. Max Verstappen, Red Bull
7. Pierre Gasly, Alpine
8. Nico Hulkenberg, Haas
9. Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin
10. Oscar Piastri, McLaren
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Valtteri Bottas, center
You can also see the final results on page 207 of text TV by following this link.
World Cup medalists 2024
1. Max Verstappen
2. Lando Norris
3. Charles Leclerc
McLaren wins the manufacturers’ championship. Ferrari is second and Red Bull third.