Scuderia Ferrari Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc delivered a exceptional efficiency in the 2024 Method 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on the 5.281-kilometre Yas Marina Circuit on Yas Island, securing a third-place podium end in opposition to all odds.
Heading into the season finale, the Monegasque driver had the chance to assert second place within the Drivers’ Championship, whereas Ferrari nonetheless had an out of doors shot on the Constructors’ title, trailing McLaren by 21 factors. Nonetheless, a difficult scenario turned even harder when Charles Leclerc was handed a 10-place grid penalty for a battery change throughout observe. The weekend deteriorated additional in qualifying when the 27-year-old had a Q2 lap deleted, leading to his elimination and leaving him nineteenth on the grid.
Charles Leclerc made a lightning begin within the race, navigating the chaos at flip one involving Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri to climb to eighth by flip seven. Regardless of beginning deep within the area, the Ferrari driver charged via the pack to complete third, simply behind teammate Carlos Sainz. Nonetheless, Ferrari’s collective efforts fell brief, as Lando Norris transformed his pole place right into a dominant win, securing McLaren the Constructors’ Championship by a 14-point margin.
For Charles Leclerc, the near-miss was undoubtedly heartbreaking, but his extraordinary drive underscored his immense worth to Ferrari, proving he generally is a cornerstone for the crew shifting ahead.
This extraordinary show additionally positioned Leclerc in an elite class in F1 historical past.
Charles Leclerc Joins Unique Membership of Drivers to Begin nineteenth and End on the Podium
Leclerc turned simply the fourth driver in Method 1 historical past to attain the uncommon feat of beginning nineteenth on the grid and ending on the rostrum. This accomplishment has occurred solely three different instances within the sport’s storied historical past, courting again to 1954.
The primary occasion occurred in the course of the 1954 Indianapolis 500, when American driver Invoice Vukovich began nineteenth and astonishingly received the race. On the time, the Indy 500 was a part of the F1 World Championship. That race marked Vukovich’s sole F1 look, and his victory was his second consecutive win at Indianapolis.
The feat was not repeated for one more 53 years, till Alex Wurz of Williams climbed from nineteenth to 3rd on the 2007 Canadian Grand Prix. Wurz capitalized on a number of incidents to safe the rostrum in a race that additionally marked Lewis Hamilton’s first-ever F1 victory.
The newest driver to perform this earlier than Leclerc was Valtteri Bottas, who completed third on the 2021 Italian Grand Prix after beginning nineteenth. Bottas, piloting the formidable Mercedes W11, benefited from strategic alternatives and rival misfortunes to complete between the McLarens of Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris.
Charles Leclerc’s unimaginable drive at Yas Marina now locations him alongside these legends of restoration drives, etching his identify into the annals of Method 1 historical past.
Charles Leclerc Bids Farewell to Carlos Sainz at Ferrari
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix additionally marked a poignant milestone for Charles Leclerc because it was his remaining race alongside teammate Carlos Sainz at Ferrari. The Spaniard will go away the crew to hitch Williams, making means for seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton to associate with the Monegasque driver beginning with the 2025 Method 1 marketing campaign.
Charles Leclerc devoted his remaining crew radio message to Carlos Sainz, expressing gratitude for the 4 years they spent collectively at Maranello. He acknowledged that Carlos Sainz had helped him enhance in a number of points of his racing, classes he intends to hold ahead as he prepares to face the British driver.
The Monegasque driver, now firmly established as Ferrari’s main determine, is anticipated to pose a big problem to Lewis Hamilton. Former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer has steered that the Mercedes man will want a “full reset” as he transitions to Scuderia Ferrari, following three difficult years with the German facet..
Because the curtain falls on the 2024 Method 1 marketing campaign, Charles Leclerc’s efficiency in Abu Dhabi serves as a strong reminder of his resilience and dedication, setting the stage for what guarantees to be an exciting 2025 Method 1 championship for the Maranello crew.
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