F1 Closes 2024 – While FE Opens New Season
Norris Shines in Abu Dhabi as McLaren Clinches Constructors’ Title
In a thrilling finale to the 2024 Formula 1 season, Lando Norris secured victory at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, marking his fourth win of the season and cementing McLaren’s long-awaited Constructors’ Championship after a 26-year drought. The Yas Marina Circuit saw fierce competition, with Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc claiming second and third, respectively, highlighting a resurgence for the Scuderia. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen, the 2024 World Drivers’ Champion, rounded off his season with a dismal 6th place finish.
Key Highlights:
- Lando Norris: Commanded the race from the start, managing tire degradation and securing the win with a flawless drive.
- Carlos Sainz: Finished 2nd in his last appearance for Ferrari.
- Charles Leclerc: Recovered from 19th on the grid to claim a podium finish, earning Driver of the Day honours.
- Lewis Hamilton: Earned a hard-fought 4th in his last appearance with Mercedes F1
- Sergio Perez: Crashing out yet again. Perez is likely to lose his Red Bull seat this week
- McLaren Triumphs: Clinched the Constructors’ title, breaking a two decades+ long dry spell.
Click HERE for Full Results
Formula E Enters the Chat with Exciting Opening Weekend
The 2024/2025 Formula E season roared to life at São Paulo’s Anhembi Sambadrome Circuit with a chaotic and electrifying race, setting a new benchmark for the series. Mitch Evans of Jaguar Racing emerged victorious in a dramatic opener featuring five race leaders, 111 overtakes, and the unveiling of the much-anticipated GEN3 Evo race car. The event’s intensity peaked with a heart-stopping crash that left reigning Drivers’ Champion Pascal Wehrlein’s Porsche flipped and lodged in the barriers, though thankfully, Wehrlein walked away uninjured. Safety Cars and two Red Flags defined the race’s unpredictable rhythm, creating opportunities for extraordinary comebacks.
Evans began the race in a distant 22nd position but carved his way to the front with deft use of the newly introduced ATTACK MODE. This upgrade, which incorporates four-wheel drive alongside the standard 50kW boost, added a compelling layer of strategy and proved instrumental in reshaping the leaderboard. Long-time leader Oliver Rowland, driving for Nissan, saw his promising run end in disappointment after a drive-through penalty. Despite this, the early phases saw Rowland take the lead from Wehrlein, setting the tone for a battle-filled day.
Evans’ teammate Nick Cassidy showcased similar tenacity, charging from 10th to finish in the top spots. McLaren’s young talent Taylor Barnard grabbed headlines, notching a historic third-place finish at just 20 years and 189 days old, becoming Formula E’s youngest-ever podium finisher. Meanwhile, Antonio Felix da Costa narrowly missed the win, finishing mere tenths behind Evans after the final restart. The standings leave Evans atop the Drivers’ Championship with NEOM McLaren leading the Teams’ standings as the series shifts to Mexico City for Round 2 on January 11.
Key Highlights:
- Mitch Evans Wins: Charged from 22nd to claim victory in a race of resilience and strategy.
- GEN3 Evo Impact: Enhanced overtaking and tactical nuances reshaped competition.
- Pascal Wehrlein’s Crash: Dramatic Red Flag incident left Wehrlein unscathed but out of the race.
- Youngest Podium Finisher: Taylor Barnard, at 20, rewrote Formula E history.
- Rowland’s Disappointment: A penalty ended a strong showing for Nissan’s star driver.
Click HERE for Full Results
IMAGES: F1 & FE
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