Abu Dhabi GP: McLaren beat Ferrari to F1 constructors’ title
McLaren has secured this year’s constructors’ championship, marking the team’s first Formula 1 title since Lewis Hamilton won the driver’s championship in 2008.
The championship victory also ends a 26-year constructors’ title drought for McLaren, dating back to the 1998 season when Mika Hakkinen and David Coulthard drove for the team.
The 2024 crown is McLaren’s ninth constructors’ title in its 58-year F1 history, meaning it now ranks equal seconds with Williams in the all-time records behind Ferrari’s 16.
McLaren took the lead of the constructors’ championship at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix this year, putting an end to Red Bull’s run of 55 races at the top of the standings.
Red Bull’s slow decline continued into the final seven races of the season, with Ferrari emerging as McLaren’s only remaining competitor for the crown ahead of Sunday’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The team’s success this year pivoted on a major upgrade at the Miami Grand Prix, which thrust drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri into contention for victories.
Norris was Max Verstappen‘s closest competitor for the drivers’ title this year, but dropped out of mathematical contention two races ago in Las Vegas.
Source: espn.com