Zak Brown, McLaren Racing’s CEO, expressed great confidence ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, emphasizing the necessity to win. His team had performed exceptionally throughout the season, achieving five race victories and an impressive streak of 14 consecutive podium finishes. This remarkable run was the second-longest in McLaren’s history and positioned the team as a serious challenger to Red Bull. Although the team narrowly missed out on the Drivers’ Championship, they managed to clinch the Constructors’ title, marking a monumental achievement.
This triumph ended a 26-year drought since McLaren’s last Constructors’ Championship victory in 1998. Heading into the final race of the season, McLaren held a 21-point advantage over Ferrari. The team needed to maintain focus and deliver a strong performance to secure the championship, a challenge Zak Brown and his team embraced wholeheartedly.
McLaren, founded in 1963 by Bruce McLaren, has a storied legacy as one of Formula 1’s most decorated teams. Only Ferrari has accumulated more trophies over the decades. The intense rivalry between the two legendary teams was reignited at the Yas Marina Circuit, with Ferrari aiming to upset McLaren’s title bid. Brown, however, remained cautious, acknowledging Ferrari’s strength on the Abu Dhabi track while rallying his team to push for victory.
Zak Brown on what winning @F1‘s constructors’ championship for the first time since 1998 would mean: “Everything. It kind of feels like one of these iconic teams that haven’t won the Super Bowl, the World Series, the Premier League for a long time.” – @FT https://t.co/0Nf89pvTiJ
— Adam Stern (@A_S12) December 8, 2024
In the final race, McLaren’s Lando Norris delivered a flawless performance, starting from pole position and holding off challenges from Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz Jr. Although Leclerc recovered impressively from a P19 start to finish third, and Sainz claimed second place, Norris maintained his lead and crossed the finish line nearly six seconds ahead of Sainz. His dominant drive secured McLaren’s first Constructors’ Championship in over two decades.
While Norris excelled, his teammate Oscar Piastri faced setbacks, including an early spin that compromised his race. Despite this, the team executed their strategy and pit stops flawlessly, avoiding further complications. Brown later admitted the intense pressure of the race had him on edge but praised his team for their exceptional execution and resilience.
This achievement was particularly significant as McLaren emerged as a consistent contender throughout the 2024 season, challenging Red Bull’s dominance. Red Bull, which had struggled with balance issues in their RB20 car and faced challenges in the evolving ground-effect regulations, saw their grip on the Constructors’ title weaken. McLaren capitalized on these struggles, taking the championship lead in Baku and fending off Ferrari’s late-season surge.
Brown’s leadership and unwavering belief in his team played a crucial role in this success. He celebrated Norris’s pivotal contributions to the victory, showering the young driver with praise and expressing his gratitude for an extraordinary season. Brown also managed to take a light-hearted jab at Red Bull and their driver Max Verstappen, referencing Verstappen’s famous post-victory phrase, “Simply lovely.”
Looking ahead, McLaren aims to build on this momentum and target a double championship in the next season, fueled by the confidence and determination that carried them to this historic milestone.