McLaren Racer Aims For The 2024 F1 Constructor Champion

JAKARTA - Two McLaren drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, are unlikely to become the 2024 Formula One (F1) world champion with only the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix remaining at the Yas Marina Circuit, Sunday, December 8, 2024.

Max Verstappen has been named the 2024 F1 champion at the Las Vegas Grand Prix on November 24, 2024.

The additional points after finishing fifth in Las Vegas made the Red Bull Racing driver's points not overtaken by his competitors, especially by Norris in second place.

Not surprisingly, two McLaren riders are now just struggling to become constructors. In the final series at the Abu Dhabi GP or the 24th series, there is still a fierce battle of constructors between McLaren and Ferrari.

So far, McLaren is still leading the constructors' standings with 640 points, 21 points ahead of Ferrari in second place.

McLaren has been eyeing their first constructor title since 1998. The opportunity was wide open after Norris and Piastri secured the first and second grids in Qualification on Saturday, December 7, 2024, WIB night.

You see, Ferrari is fairly bad. Carlos Sainz was indeed able to secure the third grid in the next race, but Charles Leclerc actually fell to 14th position.

"A perfect day for us. Maybe a little more difficult than we expected."

"We were very fast all weekend. So we were happy with the one-two position, but it was a little more difficult than we expected. My round was in the end strong and exactly what we wanted to end today."

"We have to beat Ferrari, that's the goal. However, we want to do it in style and we want to win. I want to win. So, we know what we have to do."

"We stay focused. We are here to win every possible race. We will have a good chance in the race, at least with one of our cars."

"We will give everything we have, but know in our minds what we really have to do to achieve our big goals," Norris said after the Qualification.

A similar optimistic tone was conveyed by Piastri, who was 0.209 seconds behind Norris.

The Australian has high confidence that McLaren will finish first and second in the race later.

"It took us a long time to find a foothold in the qualifying round, but we did it in the end."

"A great result for the team, very happy with it. On the final lap, I look forward to getting it again, but the second grid is still a good and clear position for the team. The first and second positions are the dreams of the moment."

"I think we're going to do whatever we can to make sure we win the (constructor) championship. That's the biggest goal."

"I'm sure we both want to win the race. So, we'll make sure it happens and have fun," Piastri said.

Ferrari's chances of winning their first constructor title since 2008 will be very difficult with these conditions.