Twenty-six years after their last triumph in 1998, McLaren once again claims the Constructors’ title. On Abu Dhabi’s night stage, the Woking-based team sealed the deal with a performance that showcased the superiority evident since Friday and Saturday. There was no better way to celebrate the title than with a victory in the season’s final race.
The success came once again thanks to Lando Norris, who skillfully exploited the MCL38, which proved to be the benchmark car even at Yas Marina. After a strong start that saw him maintain the lead while Max Verstappen and his teammate collided behind, Norris began to extend his gap over Carlos Sainz, who had climbed to second.
By lap 20, Norris had built a lead of around four seconds, though tire degradation began to challenge him, allowing Sainz in the Ferrari to close in slightly. However, Ferrari opted to pit, and during the extra lap Norris stayed out, he pushed hard enough to secure his position ahead of George Russell in case the Mercedes didn’t stop.
In the following laps, Ferrari kept within two seconds, but Norris managed to break away by optimizing tire management in the tricky Turns 2 and 3. This allowed him to push again, steadily increasing his lead to seven and a half seconds with just a few laps remaining.
The victory crowned McLaren’s Constructors’ Championship win in style—a title that had eluded them for 26 years. It was a well-deserved achievement, reflecting not just this season’s efforts but also the team’s resilience in recent years. This success is rooted in the team’s ability to recover after the challenging period following their split from Honda, particularly regarding financial struggles.
McLaren rebuilt itself with targeted investments and significant internal restructuring, culminating in the team’s current form. It’s a triumph forged by the present team but built on a long journey. “It’s an incredible feeling, not just for me but for the whole team. They’ve done an amazing job this year,” Norris said about the title.
“I’m so proud of everyone. It’s been a fantastic journey, and finishing the season like this is perfect. So congratulations and a huge thank you to everyone at McLaren and to all those who supported us this year. Winning a Constructors’ Championship after 26 years is truly special.”
“This is a historic moment for the team. They want to celebrate, and I want to celebrate with them, so it’s going to be a great evening,” Norris added. He then emphasized that the goal for next year is to win the Drivers’ Championship, as hinted during his team radio when he said, “Next year will be my year too.”
“That’s my goal. It’s our goal as a team. We want to win the Constructors’ Championship and the Drivers’ Championship next year. This year, I made mistakes, but I’ve learned a lot, and I’ve learned a lot from Max and my competitors. So, as happy as I am now, I can’t wait to start next year.”
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