The 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix brought a most dramatic close to the Formula 1 season, with Charles Leclerc and Ferrari just narrowly missing out on the Constructors’ Championship. So so close, yet so so far!
A disappointing qualifying session for Charles proved costly in the high-stakes showdown at Yas Marina Circuit.
Ferrari had entered the race weekend trailing McLaren by 21 points in the Constructors’ standings, leaving no room for error. Leclerc, buoyed by a strong season that included a record-breaking home victory in Monaco, aimed to deliver a crucial win for the Scuderia.
Undaunted by the challenge, he stormed through the field from 19th to eighth on the opening lap and gradually made his way to 3rd place on the podium. But Charles was too far back to attack the eventual race winner, McLaren’s Norris.
With Carlos Sainz taking second place, Ferrari claimed 33 points to McLaren’s 26 as McLaren’s other driver Piastri was forced to settle for P10. It was not quite enough to change positions for Ferrari in the standings – they ultimately missed out by just 14 points.
Speaking after the race, Leclerc said: “I knew that on Lap 1 I had to take all the risk possible to gain as many places as possible, to then be in a good position for the rest of the race. This was achieved but unfortunately we were just starting too far back to do anything better than what we’ve done today. I think we’ve done the maximum.
“It hurts obviously, because when the season is so close until the end, it was a hard hit on Friday when we knew we had a 10 place grid penalty. We still gave it all and just came short of our goal which is a shame, but in the end we’ve tried everything.”
Leclerc continued to express mixed emotions post-race, acknowledging his disappointment while highlighting the team’s progress over the season. “We gave it everything out there today,” Leclerc said. “It hurts to come so close and not take the title, but the effort and strides we’ve made as a team this year leave me hopeful for the future.”
This race also marked an emotional farewell for teammate Carlos Sainz, who moves to Williams in 2025. Sainz played his part in Ferrari’s resurgence but was unable to deliver the standout performance to overtake Norris and win first place in the race which was what was needed to turn the tide in Abu Dhabi.
A second and third place just weren’t enough for Ferrari to bring home a Constructors’ title that has been absent since 2008. Despite Charles Leclerc’s incredible recovery and stellar driving from 19th position to finish in third place, Ferrari came away defeated from the Abu Dhabi GP. It was an unimaginable result full of brilliance and pathos.
The 2024 season has showcased Leclerc’s growth as a leader for Ferrari, and while the Constructors’ crown eluded them this year, Ferrari’s competitive resurgence promises an exciting fight in 2025 with Lewis Hamilton joining the battle alongside Charles.
