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The season's final race at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi will be a thrilling conclusion to a dramatic campaign. McLaren’s title hopes were dealt a blow when Lando Norris received a severe 10-second stop/go penalty for failing to slow during a double yellow flag period in Qatar. This penalty saw him drop to P10 in the final standings, but his teammate Piastri’s podium finish kept McLaren in a strong position.
With Ferrari outscoring McLaren in Qatar, the Constructors’ Championship is now set to go down to the wire, with just one race remaining to decide the winner.
Drivers Champion already decided
Max Verstappen secured his fourth consecutive Formula 1 World Championship at the recent Las Vegas Grand Prix, with Lando Norris unable to challenge him in the final two rounds. Verstappen’s victory at Las Vegas solidified his dominance in the 2024 season, with Norris unable to catch up despite his best efforts in the remaining races.
As the drivers’ title was decided, the attention now turns to the Constructors' Championship, where McLaren leads Ferrari by 30 points. McLaren, aiming for their first constructors' title since 1998, will be hoping to hold onto their lead in the season’s final stretch.
McLaren and Ferrari's Battle for the Constructors’ Championship
McLaren’s focus has now shifted to securing the Constructors' Championship, as they enter the final rounds of the season with a 30-point lead over Ferrari. If McLaren can maintain their advantage, it will mark their first constructors’ title in 26 years. However, Ferrari, with a strong finish to the season, is closing in, making the final two races of the year crucial for both teams.
In the previous Qatar Grand Prix, Verstappen triumphed at the Lusail International Circuit, a venue where he claimed victory last season. However, Oscar Piastri of McLaren won the sprint race, showcasing McLaren's strong performance despite setbacks.
Driver Standings After Qatar Grand Prix
As the 2024 season nears its conclusion, here are the updated Driver Standings following the Qatar Grand Prix:
1. Max Verstappen - 404 points (Champion)
2. Lando Norris - 347 points
3. Charles Leclerc - 323 points
4. Oscar Piastri - 276 points
5. Carlos Sainz - 264 points
6. George Russell - 223 points
7. Lewis Hamilton - 211 points
8. Sergio Perez - 152 points
9. Fernando Alonso - 62 points
10. Nico Hulkenberg - 37 points
11. Yuki Tsunoda - 30 points
12. Pierre Gasly - 26 points
13. Lance Stroll - 24 points
14. Esteban Ocon - 23 points
15. Kevin Magnussen - 14 points
16. Alex Albon - 12 points
17. Daniel Ricciardo - 12 points
18. Ollie Bearman - 7 points
19. Franco Colapinto - 5 points
20. Liam Lawson - 4 points
21. Zhou Guanyu - 0 points
22. Logan Sargeant - 0 points
23. Valtteri Bottas - 0 points
Constructors' Championship Standings After Qatar GP
With just one race remaining, the Constructors’ Championship standings are as follows:
1. McLaren - 640 points
2. Ferrari - 619 points
3. Red Bull Racing - 581 points
4. Mercedes - 446 points
5. Aston Martin - 92 points
6. Alpine - 59 points
7. Haas - 54 points
8. RB - 46 points
9. Williams - 17 points
10. Sauber - 4 points
Qatar GP Recap
The Qatar Grand Prix featured a dramatic race weekend that was heavily influenced by Lando Norris’s penalty. The McLaren driver’s failure to slow under a double yellow flag cost him valuable points, dropping him to P10 despite a competitive race pace. McLaren’s earlier hopes of extending their constructors’ lead were severely impacted, making the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix all the more significant.
Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc of Ferrari gained ground on Lando Norris in the driver’s standings after finishing P2 in Qatar, closing the gap to just 21 points behind Norris. With McLaren now just 21 points ahead of Ferrari, the final race in Abu Dhabi will decide whether McLaren can hold off Ferrari and secure their long-awaited constructors' title.
The Road to Abu Dhabi
Looking ahead to the final round of the season, Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit will host the 24th and final race of the 2024 Formula 1 season, from December 6–8. With the Constructors' Championship up for grabs, and Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc battling for the drivers' runner-up position, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix promises to be an exciting, high-stakes conclusion to the season.
As the season finale approaches, all eyes will be on McLaren’s effort to secure their first constructors’ title in 26 years and whether Ferrari can make a dramatic comeback to steal the crown. Fans can expect an intense battle that will keep them on the edge of their seats as the 2024 season culminates under the lights of Abu Dhabi.
