2024 Formula 1 Preview & Review.

[Fortitude]

Hulkenberg hit with three-place grid penalty for Abu Dhabi GP.
After producing his best qualifying result of the season in Abu Dhabi, Nico Hulkenberg has been hit with a three-place grid drop for failing to follow the race director's instructions by overtaking two cars on the pit exit road.
7 Dec 2024
Formula One - Official Site

In a document published by the FIA, the stewards explained: "The driver did not dispute during the hearing that he did not follow the Race Director’s instructions, but stated that he had no other option but to breach the rules in order to get a lap in.”

"Whilst the Stewards acknowledge that the position of the team’s garages limits their options to send the cars out on track, this can never be used as an excuse to breach any regulations.”

"The prohibition of overtaking in certain areas as the pit lane or, in this case, the pit exit, is implemented to prevent potentially dangerous situations and therefore the Stewards determine that a grid drop is warranted in this case."

‘Three-place grid penalty’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...YeWQ7VCUwLYVo0


Adjusted 2024 F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix starting grid after multiple penalties
Check out who starts where for the final race in the 2024 F1 season, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix!
7 Dec 2024
Jake Nichol
RacingNews365

NOTE: Grid remains provisional until officially confirmed by the FIA.

Adjusted 2024 F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix starting grid
Position Driver Team
1st Lando Norris McLaren
2nd Oscar Piastri McLaren
3rd Carlos Sainz Ferrari
4th Max Verstappen Red Bull
5th Pierre Gasly Alpine
6th George Russell Mercedes
7th Nico Hulkenberg - penalty Haas
8th Fernando Alonso Aston Martin
9th Valtteri Bottas Stake
10th Sergio Perez Red Bull

‘Grid remains provisional’;

https://racingnews365.com/adjusted-2...eclerc-penalty


Abu Dhabi GP: Starting Grid
Provisional starting grid for the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina.
8 Dec 2024
Mat Coch
F1 Oversteer

Provisional starting grid for the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina.

1. Lando Norris
McLaren
2. Oscar Piastri
McLaren
3. Carlos Sainz
Ferrari
4. Max Verstappen
Red Bull Racing
5. Pierre Gasly
Alpine
6. George Russell
Mercedes
7. Nico Hulkenberg
Haas
8. Fernando Alonso
Aston Martin
9. Valtteri Bottas
Sauber
10. Sergio Perez
Red Bull Racing

‘Provisional starting grid’;

https://speedcafe.com/abu-dhabi-gp-starting-grid/


Nico Hulkenberg handed three-place grid penalty for F1 Abu Dhabi GP
7 Dec 2024
Dan Lawrence
Motorsport Week

Haas’ Nico Hulkenberg has received a three-place grid penalty for Sunday’s Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, dropping him to seventh on the grid. Hulkenberg had a sensational qualifying for Haas, setting the fourth-fastest time in the top-10 Q3 shootout.

The performance was vital as Haas trails Alpine by five points in the battle for sixth in the F1 Constructors’ standings and their best qualifying effort was sixth courtesy of Pierre Gasly.

However, Hulkenberg was summoned to the stewards post-qualifying after he overtook two cars in the tunnel that comprises the pit-lane exit at the Yas Marina Circuit.

‘Three-place grid penalty’;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2024/...-abu-dhabi-gp/


'Go backwards': Anthony Davidson details his ‘only concern’ for Haas after what he spotted at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
7 Dec 2024
Luke-John Buckle
F1 Oversteer

Haas are fighting for sixth place in the Constructors’ Championship at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix but need to outscore Alpine. The American team sit in seventh place in the standings and need to overturn their rival’s five-point advantage in the final round of the season.

They were sliding throughout the final few turns as the rear tyres overheated, which doesn’t point to a balanced car over a race distance. They kept up the good performance in qualifying, as Hulkenberg broke into the top 10 to set the seventh-quickest time on the grid.

Magnussen had a slightly more difficult day as he could only manage 15th place during his final weekend for the Haas team. He hit a bollard in the first part of qualifying, which damaged the floor and overall performance.

‘Doesn’t point to a balanced car over a race distance’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/ant...bi-grand-prix/

[Fortitude]

Furious Toto Wolff spotted ‘angrily yelling’ at key Mercedes chief after Lewis Hamilton Q1 exit.
Wolff was spotted on TV cameras ‘angrily telling’ at Shovlin after Hamilton failed to make it through to the second session of qualifying in Abu Dhabi.
8 Dec 2024
Ben Evans
F1 Oversteer

The report from F1 Insider highlights that Wolff couldn’t control his emotions in the garage.

Wolff apologised to Hamilton after the session and when speaking to the press, he said: “We need to apologise to Lewis and everyone in the team who has worked so hard to deliver a great final weekend for him here in Abu Dhabi. Lewis was then additionally compromised by a bollard becoming stuck under his car. Without that, he would likely have got through, but we shouldn’t have been risking so much in Q1.”

“He has been quick across all three practice sessions and was looking good for a strong result tomorrow. Sadly, we totally let him down at the end of Q1. We made the mistake of not sending the drivers out early enough. That compromised both their out laps and then their final push laps as they wrestled through traffic.”

‘Angrily yelling’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/fur...ilton-q1-exit/


Mercedes boss slams team over 'inexcusable' Hamilton flop
Abu Dhabi (AFP) – An irate Toto Wolff slammed his own Mercedes team on Saturday for an "inexcusable" decision that led to seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton flopping in qualifying at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
07/12/2024
France 24

"I just need to apologise to Lewis," said Wolff. "And also to everyone in the team that worked so hard in making it a great end for him. He was the quicker guy with the set-up we chose. We totally let him down. An idiotic mistake not to go earlier. Inexcusable, inexcusable! I’ve rarely been so down about what has happened.”

"Maybe it summarises the last races we’ve had with him, but this is the worst part of it because it was just idiotic. Maybe without the bollard, it would have worked. You don't risk so much in Q1, where we easily had the pace to make it out there.”

"Our most valuable racing driver ever, the most valuable, greatest driver of this sport goes out in Q1 because we make a mistake. It doesn’t ruin the legacy we have, but I can only say sorry to him."

‘Mercedes boss slams team over 'inexcusable' Hamilton flop’;

https://www.france24.com/en/live-new...-hamilton-flop


Emotional Wolff furious after dramatic final Hamilton qualifying
Mercedes team principal was furious following qualifying at the Yas Marina Circuit with Lewis Hamilton robbed of a fairytale after being knocked out in Q1.
7 Dec 2024
RacingNews365 Staff
RacingNews365

Toto Wolff has lamented the "inexcusable" decisions at Mercedes that led to Lewis Hamilton being eliminated in the first part of qualifying for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The Austrian was clearly aggrieved by the situation, with the British driver only finishing Q1 in P18. He will be elevated to P16 due to grid penalties for Alexander Albon and Charles Leclerc.

The seven-time F1 drivers' champion will head to Ferrari at the end of the year, with the events that unfolding at the Yas Marina Circuit putting a dark mark on his farewell weekend.

‘Emotional Wolff furious’;

https://racingnews365.com/emotional-...ton-qualifying


Toto Wolff apologises to Lewis Hamilton after Mercedes made ‘idiotic’ Abu Dhabi Grand Prix qualifying mistake
7 Dec 2024
Rory Mitchell
F1 Oversteer

Toto Wolff has apologised publicly to Lewis Hamilton after his Mercedes team made an ‘idiotic’ mistake that forced him to exit qualifying for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix early.

The seven-time world champion was eliminated at the end of Q1 after failing to improve his final lap time, leaving him 18th fastest. Hamilton was sent out late by his Mercedes team to complete his final run but was caught up in a lot of traffic, with a mix of cars completing their runs and on slow-down laps.

Lewis Hamilton hopeful for comeback to send off Mercedes career. Hamilton and Mercedes conclude their 11-year partnership in Abu Dhabi, which has seen them win six world championships and 84 race victories. The Mercedes driver is expected to start from 16th place on the grid with the penalties from both Williams drivers and Charles Leclerc applied.

‘Lewis Hamilton hopeful for comeback’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/tot...fying-mistake/


Wolff acknowledges Mercedes let Hamilton down in Abu Dhabi qualifying
8 Dec 2024
Balazs Szabo
F1 Technical

Following a promising performance across the practice session, Lewis Hamilton endured a shock elimination in Q1, prompting Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff to say that his outfit has let the seven-time world champion down.

"It will be very difficult for Lewis to get back to where he should have been racing tomorrow. Nevertheless, I know he will be giving it absolutely everything to do so. That is his character and always has been.

"With George starting P7, we will also be looking forward, but we must be realistic. The cars ahead of him have looked quick and it will be challenging to make progress. Hopefully we can enjoy a better day than today though and end the season on a high," concluded the Austrian.

‘Mercedes let Hamilton down’;

https://www.f1technical.net/news/26048


'That was bad!': Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff bemused after bizarre bollard mix up during Q1 in Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
7 Dec 2024
Sky Sports

Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff were left bemused after a bollard scuppered his lap during Q1 in Abu Dhabi, leaving him 18th for Sunday's Grand Prix.

'That was bad!';

https://www.skysports.com/watch/vide...abi-grand-prix

[Fortitude]

F1's $20million battle is set to upstage Ferrari vs McLaren.
With over $10million extra in prize money per position in the constructors’ championship, the midfield battle is set up to be the most dramatic and high-stakes of tomorrow’s race given the sting has been taken out of the tail of the McLaren versus Ferrari fight in qualifying.
Dec 7, 2024
Edd Straw
The Race

he edge may have been taken off Nico Hulkenberg’s qualifying performance by a three-place grid penalty, but the pace of the “in the sweet spot” Haas in Abu Dhabi means the team remains a threat in the battle for sixth in the constructors’ championship with a potential $20million-plus prize money swing at stake.

It is on course to be a bigger draw on Sunday than the actual constructors' title fight, McLaren versus Ferrari, if only because in that duel the team that's ahead in the standings is ahead by a lot more, will have a better position on the grid and looks faster.

Hulkenberg’s penalty drops him from fourth to seventh on the grid, but while the starting position is worse that doesn't change the fact the Haas has been seriously fast this weekend. Dropping behind Alpine spearhead Pierre Gasly, who now starts fifth, is a blow, but Hulkenberg could still prevail in the midfield fight in tomorrow’s race.

‘F1's $20million battle’;

https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/h...f1-2024-fight/


The $20m fight behind McLaren-Ferrari F1 title showdown
Behind F1's constructors' title battle another huge fight brews, writes Lewis Larkam in Abu Dhabi.
8 Dec 2024
Lewis Larkam
Crash.Net

The F1 constructors’ championship duel between McLaren and Ferrari will understandably capture most of the attention during Sunday’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. For McLaren, who hold a 21-point advantage and a front-row lockout going into the race, it would be their first constructors’ triumph since 1998, and a first title of any form since 2008. Glory for Ferrari would end a 16-year wait for the teams’ title.

However, slightly further back on the grid, there is another massively important battle for constructors’ championship honours. That is the tussle to secure P6 in the championship. Alpine currently hold the coveted spot but are just four points clear of Haas. RB are not mathematically out of contention - 13 points further adrift - but they would need a seemingly unlikely points swing, especially given both their drivers start outside the top-10 and behind their rivals.

As such, the attention is on the Alpine-Haas battle. Pierre Gasly starts fifth for Alpine, with Nico Hulkenberg just two places behind in seventh. The German had turned in a stunning lap on Saturday night to grab P4 on the grid, only to be hit with a three-place penalty.

‘$20m fight’;

https://www.crash.net/f1/news/106137...title-showdown


McLaren to remind drivers ‘the first interest is the team’ in Abu Dhabi F1 title showdown
8 Dec 2024
Taylor Powling
Motorsport Week

McLaren boss Andrea Stella will remind his drivers that the “first interest is the team” as it aims to clinch the Formula 1 Constructors’ title in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. “When we deal with drivers, we always need to be very conscious that they are wired to win races,” said Stella. “They grow from karting thinking like that.”

“They always think like that, and then at some stage in their career, you tell them, like, ‘Oh no, here is not about you guys winning. Here is about the team winning.’ So first of all, awareness. We are very aware.”

“During the season, we already had a conversation, more than one conversation with our two drivers, and we said to them that this is the only situation in which the interests of us three is not the same. So we cannot face something just staying totally united because the two drivers: each of them wants to win.”

“First interest is the team”;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2024/...itle-showdown/


How “painful” experience of 2010 Abu Dhabi defeat shaped Andrea Stella
8 Dec 2024
Adam Cooper's F1 Blog

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella admits that losing the 2010 World Championship at the final round in Abu Dhabi was the “most painful day” of his career – but the defeat helped him became the leader he is today.

Stella was Fernando Alonso’s engineer at Ferrari at the time, and the Spaniard arrived at the finale leading from Mark Webber, Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton.

However a bad strategy call by the team saw Alonso trapped behind Renault driver Vitaly Petrov and unable to better seventh place – allowing race winner Vettel to snatch the title.

“Painful”;

https://adamcooperf1.com/2024/12/08/...andrea-stella/


Sainz: Abu Dhabi GP last chance of winning in F1 ‘for a few years’
08/12/2024
Michael Delaney
F1i.com

Carlos Sainz is gearing up for a final push at glory with Ferrari in Sunday’s Abu Dhabi, a race that will bring an end to his four-year tenue with the Scuderia and which he admits will likely be his last chance of winning in F1 “for a few years”.

“I felt like I did some very good, very clean laps in Q1 and Q2,” commented the Spaniard after the session, quoted by Motorsport Week. “Probably finding the limit of the car very early on in qualifying and then giving myself and giving maybe the team a bit of hope that we could fight for pole position. But I think as soon as these two guys started putting, I think, a good lap together in Q3… I think my lap was pretty good.”

“Obviously, there’s always little things here and there that you would like to change. But when Lando talks about that he didn’t quite nail Turn 9 or he did a small mistake, then you realise that it’s the same for everyone. We’ve been a weekend three to four-tenths behind. I’ll take being two-tenths off in quali and hopefully we can match their race pace and get in the fight tomorrow.”

‘Final push at glory’;

https://f1i.com/news/527109-sainz-ab...few-years.html


One last ‘papaya rules’ fight for Piastri after Ferrari flop; Aussie’s debut misleading - F1 Talking Pts
Dec 8th, 2024
Michael Lamonato
Fox Sports (Australia)

Ferrari has taken the constructors championship down to the wire and is doing its best to trip itself up over it. Needing to overhaul a 21-point gap, Ferrari will start third and 19th behind a McLaren front-row, with Lando Norris ahead of Oscar Piastri. The mountain has never looked so steep, and Ferrari now needs a miracle to climb it.

With Carlos Sainz starting third behind a McLaren front-row lockout, Ferrari will need either deep misfortune to befall Norris and Piastri or what would have to be the most remarkable race of the season to win the championship from here. Or, of course, a miracle. “I believe in miracles,” Leclerc said, per ESPN.

“It makes our life very difficult, that’s for sure, but with the 10-place grid penalty, it was always going to be difficult. But I see an opportunity to do something very special, and I’ll do my best to do it. My goal remains the same: it’s to win the constructors championship. I still believe in it as much as I did yesterday, even though on paper obviously it’s going to be hard. I’ll believe in it until the very last lap. Anything can happen.”

“I believe in miracles”;

https://www.foxsports.com.au/motorsp...9e0c2232355cfa

[Fortitude]

Norris takes fine victory in Abu Dhabi to seal McLaren constructors' title.
Lando Norris took a fine victory at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix that sealed McLaren's first constructors' championship since 1998. That victory meant the papaya-coloured team just held on to the title, with the Ferraris of Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc rounding out the podium to close the gap in the standings, but ultimately unable to claw the 21-point deficit before the race began.
8 Dec 2024
Olly Darcy
GPblog.com

McLaren were first and second on the grid before the Grand Prix got underway at the Yas Marina Circuit, but as a result of a collision between Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen, it saw the Australian tumble all the way down the field and to the back of the grid. A ten-second penalty was then given for causing a collision with Franco Colapinto and that meant the chance to score a good haul of points to seal the title was gone, putting huge pressure on Norris and McLaren.

However, the Brit did not waver, holding onto the lead of the race from the first to the last lap, showing great poise and race pace over the Ferraris, with the tyre degradation of the Scuderia letting them down in the second phase of the race. Sainz took P2, while Leclerc drove a sublime race to finish on the podium after starting in P19. In his final race with Mercedes, before he moves to Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton went from P16 to P4 with a great drive, with teammate George Russell finishing behind in fifth after being overtaken on the last lap.

‘Just held on to the title’;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/31785...ors-title.html


Abu Dhabi GP: Race Results
Full results from the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina.
9 Dec 2024
Mat Coch
Speedcafe

Full results from the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina.

Pos Num Driver Team Laps/Diff
1 4 Lando Norris McLaren 58
2 55 Carlos Sainz Ferrari 5.832
3 16 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 31.928
4 44 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 36.483
5 63 George Russell Mercedes 37.538
6 1 Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing 49.847
7 10 Pierre Gasly Alpine 72.56
8 27 Nico Hulkenberg Haas 75.554
9 14 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin 82.373
10 81 Oscar Piastri McLaren 83.821

‘Full results’;

https://speedcafe.com/abu-dhabi-gp-race-results/


McLaren seal F1 Constructors’ title as Lando Norris wins Abu Dhabi GP
8 Dec 2024
Motorsport Week
Motorsport Week

Lando Norris converted pole position into the win at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to clinch the Formula 1 Constructors’ title for McLaren, despite Ferrari’s double podium.

Norris aced his start to remain unopposed into the opening turn, but there was chaos behind him as Max Verstappen clashed with Oscar Piastri’s McLaren on the exit. The stewards noted the collision between the two and Verstappen, who was now down in 11th place, was given a 10-second time penalty much to his dissatisfaction.

Sergio Perez headed into the race with speculation mounting over his position and his potential final Red Bull appearance ended in a retirement with a clash at Turn 6. Valtteri Bottas, who had qualified his Sauber up inside the top 10, turned Perez around at the chicane when Kevin Magnussen’s Haas had come charging up his inside.

‘Pole position into the win’;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2024/...-abu-dhabi-gp/


Abu Dhabi GP: Norris breaks Ferrari hearts as McLaren return to title glory
08 Dec 2024
Michelle Foster
PlanetF1.com

Lando Norris clinched the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix victory to hand McLaren a first Constructors’ title since 1988, the Briton having to fly the flag alone after Oscar Piastri’s early drama. McLaren’s two car hunt was reduced to one when Piastri was hit by Max Verstappen out of Turn 1 and spun out of contention. But for McLaren, Norris’ victory ahead of Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc was enough to give McLaren by 13 points.

Norris into the final lap of the championship eight seconds ahead with the Constructors’ Championship victory within his grasp. He took the chequered flag, his fourth win of the season and sealed the teams’ title for McLaren. Sainz was second ahead of Leclerc while a late pass from Hamilton put him P4 ahead of Russell.

Verstappen was sixth ahead of Gasly, Hulkenberg, Alonso and Piastri with a solitary point. Jack Doohan finished P15 on his Alpine debut as he prepares for his first full campaign in F1 2025. There was late drama for Lawson as his smoking VCARB broke down on the final lap.

‘Norris breaks Ferrari hearts’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/abu-dh...24-race-report


Perez hands Red Bull defiant message after season-ending shunt
Sergio Perez is not backing down to Red Bull's supposed wishes as the situation teeters precariously close to a contract stand-off between the two parties.
8 Dec 2024
Samuel Coop & Ian Parkes
RacingNews365

Speaking to media including RacingNews365 after his retirement for the race, the six-time grand prix winner struck a defiant tone, reiterating that he holds a contract for 2025 and beyond. "Well, at the moment, I don't know," he said when asked about the situation for next year.

"I just know that I've got a contract to race next year, and unless something changes in the coming days, that's going to be the situation for next year. When it was then queried with him as to why the Red Bull bosses were holding talks with other drivers, he replied: "That's something you need to ask them."

"Like I said, we're going to be talking in the coming days and we will discuss the situation from both parties, and see if we are able to reach an agreement," he explained. "If not, like I said, I've got a contract for next year." When asked if he was considering resigning from his race seat, he replied: "No." At no point did he mention retirement from F1.

“I've got a contract to race next year”;

https://racingnews365.com/perez-hand...n-ending-shunt


Why should they let Perez go? Montoya thinks Red Bull should keep him
8 Dec 2024
Ludo van Denderen
GPblog.com

Rumour has it that it is very likely that Sergio Perez will be driving his last Grand Prix for Red Bull Racing this Sunday. Maybe even the last of his career, as it is well known that Helmut Marko and Christian Horner are evaluating the Mexican's performance after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Juan Pablo Montoya spoke to Vision4Sport and told them what his thoughts were on the whole ordeal.

The former F1 driver has not failed to notice that Red Bull Racing will finish third in the constructors' championship despite Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen winning the Drivers' championship. Montoya thinks Red Bull doesn't care at all. That they have a long-term vision. "Funnily enough, by them finishing third, they're going to get more wind tunnel time and everything for the 2026 car," says Montoya.

'No two captains on the same ship'. The Colombian asked aloud, "So, is it that bad having Checo there? They have the world champion, and they have more wind tunnel time! What they're losing by not winning the constructors, they're probably making up with Checo’s merchandise, Red Bull sales, and the money he's bringing. So where is the downside? And you have a team dedicated to one driver."

‘Montoya thinks Red Bull should keep Sergio Perez’;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/31767...erstappen.html

[Fortitude]

Norris admits F1 title was “not looking as likely” after Piastri spin.
Lando Norris admitted that the thought the World Championship was “not looking as likely) after team mate Oscar Piastri was nudged into a spin by Max Verstappen on the first lap in Abu Dhabi.
Dec 9, 2024
Adam Cooper's F1 Blog

The incident left Norris on his own out front with no margin for error while Ferrari drivers Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc were set to bag big points. In the end victory for Norris was enough to secure the championship despite the Ferrari drivers securing the other podium places.

“Today was a very special day for all of us,” said Norris. “It was ours to lose today and I’m sure at certain moments people thought that it was not far away from being lost. Two Ferraris up there, and Charles doing a great job to get back to the podium.

“It was ours to lose today”;

https://adamcooperf1.com/2024/12/09/...-piastri-spin/


Mark Hughes: How McLaren narrowly avoided Ferrari title upset
Dec 8, 2024
Mark Hughes
The Race

In the end it was pretty straightforward for Lando Norris and McLaren to win the race and the constructors' title respectively on Sunday in Abu Dhabi. Even with the other McLaren of Oscar Piastri being spun out of contention in the opening seconds after contact with Max Verstappen. But it wasn't always that way.

A further early lap incident - hitting Franco Colapinto - for Piastri after rejoining at the back, for which he received a penalty, meant Norris didn’t ever have a rear gunner to aid his task, as Carlos Sainz tracked him.

But Norris didn’t need one, as it turned out. He always had enough of an edge to keep the Ferrari out of range, an advantage which only increased in the second stint as most traded their mediums for hards. But there were a few tense moments, not least when Norris was struggling in dirty air when lapping backmarkers with eight laps to go.

‘McLaren narrowly avoided Ferrari title upset’;

https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/m...1-title-upset/


Norris battled nerves in Abu Dhabi GP after Leclerc opening lap
08/12/2024
Phillip van Osten
F1i.com

Lando Norris admitted that Charles Leclerc's stunning recovery from the back of the grid in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix rattled the McLaren team. The Ferrari driver’s incredible charge through the field, gaining 11 places in the opening lap, inevitably added a layer of tension to McLaren's title defense.

"I was watching the TV screens and I saw Charles was P8 after lap one, so I was a little bit nervous!" Norris recalled. "But I knew I just had to focus on myself, put my head down. Carlos was never far away,” he added. “I think the biggest I got the gap to was, like, 4.2 seconds in the first stint, and that's not a very nice gap in my opinion. It's a bit too close to my comfort.”

"So, it was still a tricky race, and I'm sure there was probably a lot more nervous people on the pitwall and in the garage, knowing what was at stake. I’ve got the adrenaline of the car and focused on that. For them, they're just sitting and watching the screens, and they have a lot more time to think about what can go wrong and all of that.”

“I was a little bit nervous!";

https://f1i.com/news/527215-norris-b...ening-lap.html


Norris: Leclerc's lightning start made McLaren "nervous" over title bid
A chaotic first lap at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix handed Ferrari an outside chance of defeating McLaren after all
Dec 8, 2024
Filip Cleeren
Motorsport.com

Lando Norris said Charles Leclerc's miracle recovery in Formula 1's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix made McLaren more nervous as it battled the Scuderia for the constructors' championship.

Norris said he was "incredibly proud" to play a part in McLaren getting back to winning ways for its first constructors' trophy in 26 years, while paying tribute to the team's staff across its many departments at the track and at its Woking headquarters.

"The bigger picture of us winning a championship for the first time in 26 years, you wouldn't have thought that when you say the name McLaren," he added. "It feels wrong to say that they've not won a championship in 26 years. But for me to be part of that, for Oscar to be part of it, is something we're incredibly proud of.

‘A chaotic first lap at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix handed Ferrari an outside chance’;

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/n...-bid/10680794/


Brown jokes that Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was "the worst two hours of my life"
8 Dec 2024
Olly Darcy
GPblog.com

Speaking to Sky Sports right as the Grand Prix finished, an ecstatic Brown said: "I love everyone in Woking! What an awesome team effort, all the men and women at McLaren! Amazing! That was stressful." He was then asked about Norris delivering for the team, saying: "Man he did! Yes he did!"

The CEO then joined the Brit on the podium to celebrate the success of his team, shouting loudly in celebration. He joined the Sky Sports crew once again after celebrating in the McLaren garage, joking about the stress of the race: "That was the worst two hours of my life, by far. Lando drove brilliantly. Unfortunate what happened to Oscar at the start, but the team was flawless. They executed, the pit stop was great. I think I was the only one that was about ready to have a heart attack for two hours."

Again, the American was extremely complimentary of Norris: "In that race, he carried us. To not make any mistakes, we were worried about safety cars, I was worried about everything. He drove flawlessly, as he's done. So next, try and repeat Constructors and get the Drivers. I'll let Oscar and Lando figure that one out!"

"In that race, he carried us”;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/31793...-dhabi-gp.html

[Fortitude]

Vasseur: Mid-season missteps cost Ferrari ‘80 or 90 points'.
Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur has singled out missed opportunities rather than outright pace as the primary factor behind the Scuderia's narrow defeat to McLaren in the 2024 Formula 1 Constructors' Championship.
10/12/2024
Michael Delaney
F1i.com

“A good one (season), but not enough,” commented Vasseur after last Sunday’s season finale in Abu Dhabi. “I think that if you compare with one year ago, it’s a huge step forward – pit stops, strategy, reliability… we improved everywhere, even in terms of pure performance,”

“It’s true that at the end, 14 points are missing, and I think if you are 80 or 100 points behind, you don’t feel the frustration. Tonight, I had tons of races in my mind where we lost 14 points this season, but it is like it is. McLaren also had some issues, and we have to do a better job next year, but I’m also quite proud of the step that we did.”

“I don’t want to do the list, but Canada we came back,” Vasseur recalled. “I think on paper, Canada was a good one for us, and we came back from Canada with a double zero—that was a bit harsh. Then we had three or four races in a row with the upgrade when we struggled a little bit. This period I think we lost something like 80 or 90 points on McLaren.”

‘Mid-season missteps’;

https://f1i.com/news/527456-vasseur-...90-points.html


Four moments that cost Ferrari the 2024 F1 world title
Just 14 points separated Ferrari from a sensational world championship, leaving the team to wonder what could have been
9 Dec 2024
Filip Cleeren
Motorsport.com

Canada: Ferrari's only double retirement: Both Charles Leclerc and Sainz were dumped out of Q2 after they couldn't find late improvements on old soft tyres, with the pair starting from 11th and 12th. Ferrari's weekend went from bad to worse in the race, with Leclerc retiring due to an electronical issue on the power unit while Sainz spun out in wet conditions…

Spain: Flawed new floor sends Ferrari down a development rabbit hole: A new floor launched at the Spanish Grand Prix turned out to introduce bouncing in high-speed corners. That not only cost it performance outright but also derailed its development programme as the Maranello squad first had to find and understand the root cause before it could come up with a tweaked design.

Baku: Sainz loses possible podium after late Perez clash: Sainz looked on for a recovery onto the podium until a late clash with Sergio Perez, sending both cars into the wall. Those 15 points for third would have gone a long way, with the caveat that behind them Norris moved up to score four extra points too.

Singapore: Pre-race favourites on the back foot after qualifying: After a disappointing qualifying session in which Sainz crashed in Q3 and Leclerc also didn't set a time, with the pair relegated to the fifth row.

‘Four moments’;

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/f...itle/10681032/


'He said': The moment Frederic Vasseur knew Ferrari had ‘messed up’ their Constructors’ Championship chances
10 Dec 2024
Tyler Rowlinson
F1 Oversteer

Journalist Laura Winter spoke with Vasseur after the race and she says the Ferrari boss was looking back at previous races where they ‘messed up’ their title chances, including the Canadian Grand Prix where Leclerc and Sainz registered Ferrari’s first double retirement since the 2022 Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Winter said via the F1 Nation Podcast: “I actually saw Fred Vasseur outside the hospitality. I went up [to him] and you have that weird moment where you’re not sure whether to say congratulations or commiserations and I sort of said both to him.”

“And he said, I won’t repeat the word he used but it began with F, it’s not tonight that we ‘messed’ up. He said it was Spain, Canada, Silverstone. He’s already thinking back to where they dropped points, to where they’ve lost this. They’ll be looking ahead to 2025 as well.”

'He said';

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/the...nship-chances/


Ferrari issue ‘14 points are missing’ verdict after McLaren title defeat
9 Dec 2024
Henry Valantine
PlanetF1.com

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur admitted to having “races in my mind” where points were on the table in 2024, after narrowly missing out on Constructors’ glory to McLaren. “It’s true that, at the end, 14 points are missing, and if you are 80 or 100 points behind, you don’t feel the frustration. Fourteen points, you have, or at least tonight, I have tons of races in my mind where we lost 14 points this season, but it is like it is.”

“McLaren also had some issues, and just that we have to do a better job next year – but I’m also quite proud of the step that we did.” As for where they lost out, Vasseur pointed to the only double DNF the team had of the season, back in Montréal, where they had been expected to be competitive, as a chance for a good points haul.

‘14 points are missing’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/ferrar...laren-f1-title


Ferrari lost two months in F1 flexi-wing development race
16 Nov 2024
Dan Lawrence
Motorsport Week

Ferrari boss Frederic Vasseur said the team lost out on “one or two months” developing a flexible front wing as it waited for Formula 1‘s governing body to deem such a device legal.

Teams had been pushing the boundaries of aero-elasticity with front wings coming into the summer break. Mercedes and McLaren were reaping the benefits of flexible front wings in the lead-up to the Belgian Grand Prix, drawing concern from the likes of Ferrari and Red Bull.

“There was frustration because at one stage we were waiting for the decision of the FIA when they installed the cameras [from Spa],” Vasseur told Motorsport.com. “We were convinced that it will go for the ‘no go’. And it went for the ‘go’! So probably we lost one or two months.”

“We were convinced that it will go for the ‘no go’.”;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2024/...elopment-race/


'They lost it': Will Buxton pinpoints the ‘catastrophic’ decision which cost Ferrari the 2024 F1 Constructors’ Championship
Mon 9 Dec 2024
Shay Rogers
F1 Oversteer

Ferrari lost the 2024 F1 constructors’ title with ‘catastrophic upgrade’ in Spain. Ferrari’s problem certainly wasn’t the way they closed out the season, making the podium at each of the last three races – but more about what they did before that. They spent the early part of the European leg of the season recovering from a poor upgrade at the Spanish Grand Prix which hindered their car and pushed them back to being fourth fastest.

Will Buxton pointed out in F1’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Post-Race show that it may have been the reason they ended up losing the constructors’ title. “That they held on to second place in the constructors’ championship for as long as they did was a testament to just the relentless drive from them. But, they will rue that mistake, they will rue the correlation errors that led to them putting that thing on the car in the first place.”

‘Catastrophic decision’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/wil...-championship/


Ferrari highlights period that cost team 2024 F1 title to McLaren
9 Dec 2024
Taylor Powling
Motorsport Week

Frederic Vasseur had vowed that Ferrari must strive to maximise its points tally more in 2024, having rued squandered opportunities last season which denied it second place. Ferrari must ‘minimise losses’ again in 2025.

However, Ferrari managed an impressive recovery as revisions in Monza and Singapore triggered a return to competitiveness which delivered three wins in nine races. But despite the updated SF-24 hauling Ferrari back into title contention, Vasseur has acknowledged that there were still moments where the team gave up vital points.

“We had a tough weekend like Baku, even if we did a P2 with Charles [Leclerc], but I think we were in a position to do a much better job than only P2,” he added. “Then Singapore was a tough one, with the two cars ninth and 10 in quali. I think we could expect much better, but this is true also for McLaren.”

‘Rued squandered opportunities’;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2024/...le-to-mclaren/