Formula 1 prepares to close the curtain on the 2024 season with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the traditional finale at the Yas Marina Circuit. This weekend holds particular significance for Scuderia Ferrari, featuring a historic practice session and a final showdown in the fight for the Constructors' Championship—a fitting conclusion to an intense and emotional season.
A key moment of the weekend will be the debut of Arthur Leclerc, Charles Leclerc's younger brother, driving a Ferrari in FP1, the first practice session of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. For the first time in Formula 1 history, two brothers will participate as teammates in an official session. Arthur will replace Carlos Sainz, who is set to compete in his final race for Ferrari before moving to Williams for the 2025 season.
Arthur's selection for this opportunity is no coincidence. Ferrari wanted to recognize the young Monegasque's dedication, particularly his simulator work and his recent victory in the Italian GT Championship alongside Giancarlo Fisichella and Tommaso Mosca with Scuderia Baldini. This decision adds an emotional touch to a weekend that also marks Sainz's farewell after years of valuable contributions to Ferrari.
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While Arthur takes the spotlight in practice, the pressure remains squarely on Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, who face their final weekend together before going their separate ways in 2025. The duo, along with Ferrari, is vying for the Constructors' Championship, a title the team last won in 2008 with Kimi Räikkönen and Felipe Massa.
The challenge is daunting, with McLaren holding a significant advantage. McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri sit second and third in the Drivers’ Championship, and Ferrari trails McLaren by 21 points. To pull off an extraordinary comeback and bring the Constructors' title back to Maranello, Ferrari will need a combination of stellar performance and favorable circumstances.
Ferrari’s task requires near perfection. A 1-2 finish by Leclerc and Sainz would force McLaren to finish off the podium entirely. Specifically, Norris and Piastri must finish outside the top three, and Ferrari would need to secure at least second and third, with McLaren’s cars finishing no higher than 7th and 8th—or failing to score at all, even with the fastest lap.
Even with a Ferrari 1-2 finish, McLaren could still clinch the title if one of their drivers scores points, especially with a fastest lap bonus. McLaren’s strong points lead, combined with their consistent performance, makes Ferrari's comeback a near-impossible mission despite the Scuderia’s competitive form in recent races.
“For the first time in Formula 1’s hybrid era, we’ve made it to the final race with a chance to fight for a title. It’s a significant milestone, and this weekend we’ll aim to do even more,” Ferrari team principal Frédéric Vasseur said ahead of the Abu Dhabi GP.
The 2024 Formula 1 season will end with a grand finale not only deciding the Constructors' Championship but also marking the end of an era for drivers like Sainz, who prepares for his last race in red. All eyes turn to Yas Marina this Sunday, where another chapter of F1 history will be written.
