McLaren and Ferrari fight for Formula One constructors’ title as Lewis Hamilton ends an era

ABU DHABI – Lewis Hamilton will bring down the curtain on his Mercedes career in Abu Dhabi on Dec 8 as his past and future Formula One teams, McLaren and Ferrari, fight for a constructors’ title to end years of waiting.

Even though Red Bull’s Max Verstappen secured his fourth successive championship in Las Vegas in November, eras will end with the final chequered flag of the season under the Yas Marina floodlights.

McLaren, who took Hamilton to his first drivers’ title in 2008 but were last constructors’ champions in 1998, are 21 points clear of Ferrari, the sport’s oldest and most successful team chasing a first crown since 2008.

Whoever comes out on top will end a 14-year run when only Red Bull and Mercedes have won championships.

Hamilton, the most successful driver in the history of F1 with seven titles and 105 wins, has been a part of Mercedes since 2013 but is joining Ferrari at the end of December.

“This weekend is a celebration,” said Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff. “A celebration of everything that we have accomplished together.

“We will honour this unparalleled story in Abu Dhabi and across the following week as we visit Kuala Lumpur, Stuttgart, then finally Brixworth and Brackley,” he added, referring to the headquarters of sponsor Petronas and Mercedes, and the team’s factories in England.

“And honour it knowing that, while this phase of our relationship is coming to an end, Lewis will always be a part of our family.

“For now, though, our full focus is on the race weekend. There is no better way to mark the end of our time together than with a strong performance on the track. The entire team is focused on adding one more highlight to the reel.”

Hamilton, twice a winner this season, can only agree after the low of 12th in Qatar on Dec 1 with two penalties and a puncture.

“I’m still standing. It’s not how you fall, it’s how you get back up,” the 39-year-old Briton said then.

McLaren, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri showing plenty of team spirit, are favourites for the constructors’ title but nothing can be taken for granted.

“Twenty-one points requires a perfect weekend from Ferrari and a bad weekend from McLaren,” said Carlos Sainz, ahead of the Williams-bound Spaniard’s last race for the Italian team alongside Charles Leclerc.

“We’re going to give it our best shot. I think if we nail a good weekend, we could still make it happen. Nothing to lose. We’re going to throw everything in to make sure we give ourselves the best chance.”

Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur said his team would “fight until the last corner of the last lap”.

Either way, Charles and Arthur Leclerc will make history as the first brothers to drive in an F1 session as teammates when they turn out for Ferrari in opening practice on Dec 6.

Brothers have raced each other in F1, notably grand prix winners Michael and Ralf Schumacher, but not with the same team. Mexicans Pedro and Ricardo Rodriguez both drove for Ferrari, but not at the same time.

Meanwhile, Verstappen will be chasing his 10th win of the season after victory in Qatar and a falling out with Hamilton’s teammate George Russell.

The governing FIA will also be in the spotlight amid criticism from teams and media of race direction and stewarding decisions.

Red Bull will be saying goodbye to Jonathan Wheatley, the future principal of Audi, having already parted ways with top designer Adrian Newey.

Nobody would be surprised if Verstappen’s underperforming teammate Sergio Perez leaves as well, despite the Mexican having a contract until 2026.

Renault-owned Alpine, in a tight battle with Haas for sixth place overall, have already said farewell to Esteban Ocon, with Australian replacement Jack Doohan set for a race debut ahead of schedule.

Other goodbyes will be said at Haas (Kevin Magnussen) and Sauber (Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu) as F1 prepares for a new wave of young talent next season.
REUTERS