Scuderia Ferrari Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc delivered a remarkable performance in the 2024 Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the 5.281-kilometre Yas Marina Circuit on Yas Island, securing a third-place podium finish against all odds.
Heading into the season finale, the Monegasque driver had the opportunity to claim second place in the Drivers’ Championship, while Ferrari still had an outside shot at the Constructors’ title, trailing McLaren by 21 points. However, a challenging situation became even tougher when Charles Leclerc was handed a 10-place grid penalty for a battery change during practice. The weekend deteriorated further in qualifying when the 27-year-old had a Q2 lap deleted, resulting in his elimination and leaving him 19th on the grid.
Charles Leclerc made a lightning start in the race, navigating the chaos at turn one involving Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri to climb to eighth by turn seven. Despite starting deep in the field, the Ferrari driver charged through the pack to finish third, just behind teammate Carlos Sainz. However, Ferrari’s collective efforts fell short, as Lando Norris converted his pole position into a dominant win, securing McLaren the Constructors’ Championship by a 14-point margin.
For Charles Leclerc, the near-miss was undoubtedly heartbreaking, yet his extraordinary drive underscored his immense value to Ferrari, proving he can be a cornerstone for the team moving forward.
This extraordinary display also placed Leclerc in an elite category in F1 history.
Charles Leclerc Joins Exclusive Club of Drivers to Start 19th and Finish on the Podium
Leclerc became just the fourth driver in Formula 1 history to achieve the rare feat of starting 19th on the grid and finishing on the podium. This accomplishment has occurred only three other times in the sport’s storied history, dating back to 1954.
The first instance happened during the 1954 Indianapolis 500, when American driver Bill Vukovich started 19th and astonishingly won the race. At the time, the Indy 500 was part of the F1 World Championship. That race marked Vukovich’s sole F1 appearance, and his victory was his second consecutive win at Indianapolis.
The feat was not repeated for another 53 years, until Alex Wurz of Williams climbed from 19th to third at the 2007 Canadian Grand Prix. Wurz capitalized on multiple incidents to secure the podium in a race that also marked Lewis Hamilton’s first-ever F1 victory.
The most recent driver to accomplish this before Leclerc was Valtteri Bottas, who finished third at the 2021 Italian Grand Prix after starting 19th. Bottas, piloting the formidable Mercedes W11, benefited from strategic opportunities and rival misfortunes to finish between the McLarens of Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris.
Charles Leclerc’s incredible drive at Yas Marina now places him alongside these legends of recovery drives, etching his name into the annals of Formula 1 history.
Charles Leclerc Bids Farewell to Carlos Sainz at Ferrari
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix also marked a poignant milestone for Charles Leclerc as it was his final race alongside teammate Carlos Sainz at Ferrari. The Spaniard will leave the team to join Williams, making way for seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton to partner with the Monegasque driver starting with the 2025 Formula 1 campaign.
Charles Leclerc dedicated his final team radio message to Carlos Sainz, expressing gratitude for the four years they spent together at Maranello. He acknowledged that Carlos Sainz had helped him improve in several aspects of his racing, lessons he intends to carry forward as he prepares to face the British driver.
The Monegasque driver, now firmly established as Ferrari’s leading figure, is expected to pose a significant challenge to Lewis Hamilton. Former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer has suggested that the Mercedes man will need a “full reset” as he transitions to Scuderia Ferrari, following three challenging years with the German side..
As the curtain falls on the 2024 Formula 1 campaign, Charles Leclerc’s performance in Abu Dhabi serves as a powerful reminder of his resilience and determination, setting the stage for what promises to be a thrilling 2025 Formula 1 championship for the Maranello team.
Leave a Reply