Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz both expressed a mix of pride and disappointment after the dramatic conclusion to the 2024 Formula 1 season at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where Ferrari narrowly missed out on the Constructors' Championship to McLaren. The race saw Leclerc make an impressive comeback, climbing from 19th to finish third, while Sainz secured second place in what would be his final race for Ferrari before his move to Williams in 2025.
Leclerc, who had started the race from a difficult grid position, acknowledged that his aggressive strategy from the very beginning played a crucial role in his recovery. "I knew I had to be very aggressive, so on Lap 1, I took all the risks possible to gain as many places as I could to be in a good position for the rest of the race," he said. Despite his valiant efforts, he admitted that starting from such a low position ultimately limited his ability to secure a better result.
Leclerc’s climb through the field was a testament to his skill and determination, but with McLaren’s Lando Norris securing the win, it wasn’t enough for Ferrari to clinch the Constructors’ title. McLaren’s victory gave them their first Constructors' Championship since 1998, with a 14-point advantage over Ferrari in the final standings. Leclerc reflected on how difficult it was to come so close but ultimately fall short. "It hurts when a season is so close until the end. We gave it our all, and we just came up short of our goal," he said, emphasizing that despite their best efforts, McLaren’s performance proved to be beyond their reach.
Carlos Sainz also expressed mixed emotions after the race, finishing second behind his teammate and McLaren's Norris. He described the feeling as "bittersweet" as he acknowledged that Ferrari's best possible outcome was to finish P2 given McLaren's superior pace in the final stages of the race. "Obviously, a bit of a bittersweet feeling in the end," said Sainz. He reflected on how Ferrari's performance in the first stint of the race gave them a chance, but once McLaren switched to hard tires, their pace became unbeatable. "They just got a bit out of reach," he remarked.
The race marked an emotional farewell for Sainz, who will be leaving Ferrari after four seasons to join Williams alongside Alex Albon in 2025. He spoke fondly of his time with the Scuderia, reflecting on the personal milestones he achieved, including race wins and pole positions. "I have a lot of pride in what I’ve achieved with Ferrari, and I’ve given everything to the team," he said. The season concluded on a note of gratitude for the team and recognition of their achievements during a challenging year.
Looking back on his tenure with Ferrari, Sainz shared an emotional moment with his race engineer during his final lap. His time with Ferrari was marked by highs and lows, but Sainz will leave the team with a sense of pride in his contributions. The Spaniard expressed a sense of closure as he prepares for his new chapter at Williams, and although he leaves Ferrari, he remains hopeful for the team's future.
For both drivers, the final race of the season encapsulated the highs and lows of a season where they gave everything, only to fall just short of their goal. Ferrari’s performance, while impressive, wasn’t enough to overcome McLaren’s superior form, and the Scuderia will now shift its focus to the future. Both Leclerc and Sainz remain optimistic, hoping to build on their experiences and come back stronger in the coming seasons.
Ferrari’s 2024 season ends with a sense of unfinished business but also pride in the effort and progress they’ve made. While they may have missed out on the Constructors' Championship, the team remains motivated for the challenges ahead, with both Leclerc and Sainz setting their sights on future successes in Formula 1.
