2024 Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Highlights

There is no need for recrimination for Scuderia Ferrari HP after today’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina circuit. Carlos Sainz, Charles Leclerc and the whole team produced the best race possible to finish second and third behind Lando Norris in the McLaren, the English team, thus securing the Constructors’ title by just 14 points – 666 to 652. This is the smallest winning margin in the Constructors’ since the race winner has been awarded 25 points (2010).

Carlos drove a great race, always putting Norris under pressure, although no mistakes were forthcoming from the Englishman. Charles got the perfect start and then produced a memorable opening lap, which later, combined with a perfectly executed strategy and pit stop, saw him make up a total of 16 places to make it to the podium for the 13th time this year, the 22nd for the team.

Carlos Sainz #55

We gave it everything we had. I did my best to try to keep Lando (Norris) under pressure, but today, McLaren was just a bit faster overall. Congratulations to the Papaya team for the Constructors’ Championship. They fought hard and deserve it!

As a team, we should be proud of what we’ve accomplished this year—five wins and numerous podiums is no small feat in such a tight championship.

It was an emotional parade lap after the chequered flag, and I suspect tonight will bring even more emotions.

Thank you, Scuderia Ferrari; this is truly a special team. These four years together are something I will always cherish, and I have no words to describe it in a simple final quote. Grazie di cuore!

Charles Leclerc #16

Even though the race itself was incredible, we fell short of our primary objective of winning the constructors’ title, so the disappointment is there today.

The first lap was strong, and I made up 11 positions, going from P19 to P8. The whole first stint was good, but it was a bit tricky to overtake because there was a train of DRS ahead. We made it through and preserved our tyres well, so I am delighted with how we managed our race. There was nothing we could have done better.

Speaking about Carlos, it has been incredible to share the team with him for four seasons. We pushed each other to new heights and moved the team positively, always keeping respect for each other. Thanks to his contribution, we are here today, missing our world title by 14 points. I wish him all the best and look forward to seeing what he will do in the future.

Looking at next year, I hope that we can start the season off with a powerful car. This is probably where we missed our this year, coming back strong in the second half of the season. We made a significant impact thanks to the incredible work of everyone back in our factory who created the upgrades, which let us perform the way we have. This gives me confidence for the future,e and I look forward to being back on track in 2025. A big thank you to the team that made this season possible.

Frédéric Vasseur – Team Principal

We pushed all the way to the last corner of the last lap. I am pleased with our job today because it was unexpected to finish P2 and P3, given where Charles was on the grid.

Today, Charles drove a great race. Before the start, I had a bet with him on what his position would be at the end of lap 1, and we both lost it as he was too far ahead of what we had both predicted. We can say it’s not today that we lost the championship. Finishing 14 points behind McLaren is frustrating as it is a minimal margin, less than 2% of the total available. I have massive respect for what McLaren has done in recent years. So congratulations to them.

From our side, the target is never to be P2, so if you are not P1, it means you have to improve, but I’d say we had a good season, making a solid step forward as we scored 50% more points than last season, but the target remains that of winning titles.

And finally, a word for Carlos: he was always very professional and consistent, and he and Charles always fought each other hard, which is a good thing as you progress faster as a team this way. I wanted to see the team pulling in the same direction, and Carlos did more than his share in achieving that.

For next year, everyone in the team does not need to look for motivation because we already have it! From tomorrow, we will already be focused on 2025.

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