08 December, Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. – 2024 has been the longest season in Formula One’s history, but it’s one that will be talked about for many years. After 23 races, it all came down to an exciting climax in Abu Dhabi which was another tough battle for Oracle Red Bull Racing.

The circuit runs anticlockwise and has 16 turns in total, nine left-handers and seven right. The drivers are expected to be at full throttle for 63% of the lap and make an estimated 56 gear changes per rotation. The race is 58 laps of the 5.281km track and the current lap record is held by Max, he set a time of 1:26.103 in 2021.

As the lights went out, Norris led the pack. Verstappen committed to a lunge up the inside of Oscar Piastri, but with a tight Turn 1, the Dutchman understeered and caught the rear wheel of the McLaren forcing both to spin. Verstappen spun 360-degrees and dropped back into the chasing pack while Piastri faced the wrong direction and dropped to last.

Sainz was promoted to second, recovering the position plus the vacant place left by Piastri. Further back, Sergio Pérez also had contact at Turn 6 with Valtteri Bottas. Two laps later he was forced to end his race, stopping at the exit of Turn 9 which brought out the virtual safety car. By the end of the VSC, both Verstappen and Bottas were issued with 10-second penalties. An unfortunate end to the race and the season for Checo.

Norris meanwhile was comfortable in the lead with only the Ferrari of Carlos Sainz in close pursuit. Gasly triggered the first round of pit stops after holding up Russell from the battle at the front. The front runners stayed out after starting on Hard tyres while the rest of the field opted to start on Medium tyres and required an earlier switch.

The front runners started coming into the pits around lap 25, switching to Medium tyres for the remainder of the race. Sainz had gained a couple seconds on Norris but his lead remained above two-seconds.

Verstappen meanwhile was continuing to rise up the order following his penalty which he served during his pit stop. As the race reached its final stages, the Dutchman was comfortably in the top 10 and looking to maximise his points total.

The other Ferrari of Charles Leclerc, who had started from the back row was now running in the final podium position, threatening McLaren’s chances of a potential Constructors’ Championship.

However, it was not to be for Ferrari as Norris held off Sainz for long enough before the Spaniard’s tyres began to fade. The Ferraris came home second and third, a valiant effort from their Monegasque driver from the back of the grid.

On the final lap, Hamilton had managed to pass his Mercedes teammate, George Russell,  in what was his final race for the team. Ultimately, Max cruised home to take sixth place behind the two Mercedes.

Without the collision at the very first corner of the race and the 10-second penalty, it could have been a very different story. However, it was a tough but strong drive for the rest of the race and brings a close to what was a truly epic season.

Max Verstappen, following a sixth placed finish, said “My start was good and I went up the inside and then realised it was going to be tight at the apex with Oscar. I tried to stay on the kerb but unfortunately we clipped the tyres and spun which wasn't great. I have already apologised to Oscar, he is one of the last guys you want to come together with and it wasn't great.

“After that, we had a tough race and were struggling with tyres as they were overheating. We were just stuck in that position unfortunately so didn't make it up with the pace. It has been a long season and there wasn't a lot for us to fight for today.”

After a disappointing result, Sergio Pérez, said “It hasn't been a great year and we wanted a better result today but in the end, it probably summed up the season. It was just very unfortunate to have a collision with Valtteri, I was turning into turn six and I got hit from the back.

“I ended up losing drive and couldn't continue. I am relived this season is over in a way, it has been a very frustrating and difficult year.”

Despite everything, this has been a very successful year for Max Verstappen, who has become the Formula 1 World Champion for the fourth consecutive time!

Along with the fantastic efforts of the RBR team, this success is also due to Mobil 1 lubricants, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. For years, Mobil 1 has been taking care of the performance and engine of the RB car, as well as all the equipment.

Find the right Mobil motor oil for your car with our product selector for passenger vehicles.

Now, all that's left for us is to eagerly await the next season!

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