Between the McLaren's world championship victory and the farewells, among others, of Carlos Sainz to Ferrari and Lewis Hamilton to Mercedes, the Season finale at Yas Marina has provided excitement on and off the track. From the last three days of action of 2024, then, numerous statistics interesting. Here we have collected the ten most curious. Happy reading.
Norris's Perfect Weekend
Lando Norris he won his eighth pole position of the season, a historic result that marks the Biggest pole haul by a McLaren driver in the 21st century, surpassing Lewis Hamilton's 7 in 2008 and 2012. Furthermore, the number 4 he closed 2024 with the highest number of pole positions, tied with Max Verstappen.
With him, McLaren ended the long qualifying dominance of Mercedes and Red Bull in Abu Dhabi, a streak that had lasted 11 years. The Bristol driver then won the race, continuing the tradition of those who start from pole at Yas Marina, a result that has been repeated since 10 consecutive years, establishing a new absolute record (tied with Barcelona from 2001 to 2010).
McLaren and the ritualrno to the title
McLaren celebrated a historic victory in the constructors' championship, the first title from 26 years at this point, breaking a fast that had lasted since 1998. For the first time in history, the Woking team has finished the season without any classified withdrawals. Also, Oscar Piastres was the only driver to complete all the laps in Sunday races: a milestone achieved by only 3 drivers before him (Schumacher, Hamilton and Verstappen).
Disappointments and Surprises: Hamilton, Leclerc, Alonso and Bottas
It wasn't enough to give Ferrari the title, but the comeback of Charles Leclerc from 19th to third place is the best of his career and the best of 2024, tied with Verstappen in Brazil (from P17 to P1).
Lewis Hamilton He finished his career with Mercedes with three eliminations in Q1 in the last six races: the same number of eliminations he accumulated in the rest of his career with the Silver Arrows (170 race weekends).
Fernando Alonso he concluded no no in the drivers' championship, the highest ranked driver without a podium. Valtteri Bottas, instead, it was theonly full-time driver not to score points throughout the season.
