🏎️ McLaren Wins Constructors' Championship

In this week’s email:

• McLaren Wins Constructors Championship 🏆

• A Historic Goodbye for Hamilton 👋

• Lowdon Appointed Principal for Cadillac 👀

• The End of Era for Leclerc and Sainz 🔴

McLaren Claims Constructors' Championship 🏆

McLaren Claims First Constructors' Championship in 26 Years: Lando Norris stood tall on the podium in Abu Dhabi. Emotionally reflecting on McLaren's historic win. The British driver secured McLaren's first Constructors' Championship since 1998. Making it a monumental achievement for the team.

Race Highlights: The race saw dramatic moments. Including Piastri's collision with Max Verstappen on Lap 1. Leaving Norris as the sole McLaren contender for the title. Despite pressure from Ferrari, Norris delivered a flawless performance to seal the win.

Norris’ Calm Focus: Norris kept his head down and focused throughout the race. Managing to build a gap over Ferrari's Carlos Sainz. Who tried everything to close the distance but couldn’t catch up.

McLaren’s Rise: A Decade of Hard Work: The team’s victory didn’t come overnight. In 2020, McLaren was on the brink of financial collapse. A £185 million investment helped turn the tide. Since then, the team’s development accelerated. with key technical upgrades in 2023 and a standout performance in the Austrian GP. The addition of Norris and Piastri further strengthened McLaren’s position as a top contender.

From Confidence to Consistency: 2024 was a breakthrough year for Norris. Finishing second in the drivers’ standings. He learned to believe in his ability to fight at the highest level. Culminating in a dramatic and emotional season finale in Abu Dhabi.

What’s Next for McLaren?: As we look ahead to the 2025 season, the spotlight is on McLaren’s development strategy and how they’ll build on this historic achievement. Will they continue to challenge Red Bull’s dominance? Only time will tell, but for now, McLaren is savoring its hard-earned victory.

Lewis Hamilton's Final Race with Mercedes: A Historic Goodbye 👋

The Moment of Farewell: On Sunday in Abu Dhabi, Lewis Hamilton shared a deeply emotional moment with his silver and black Mercedes W15 car on the Yas Marina Circuit. After 12 seasons, 246 races, and six world championships, it was his last time stepping into a Mercedes.

"It’s been the greatest honor of my life," Hamilton said, reflecting on his incredible journey with Mercedes. As he prepares to join Ferrari in February, Hamilton expressed gratitude for every moment—both the highs and lows—that shaped his legacy with the team.

A Challenging Weekend, A Heroic Comeback: Hamilton's final race weekend didn’t start easy. A qualifying mistake by Mercedes left him in 16th place. Making the race even more challenging. However, Hamilton’s resilience shone through as he fought back during the race.

The Final Battle with Teammate Russell: In the final laps, Hamilton’s battle with teammate George Russell was intense. As the two crossed paths on track, Hamilton made a spectacular overtake in Turn 9. Moving ahead of Russell in a defining moment.

Post-Race Reflections: A Year of Challenges and Triumphs: Despite a turbulent year, Hamilton ended his time with Mercedes on a high note. While his 7th-place championship finish marked his lowest in F1, he still left with pride. Having achieved monumental success with the team.

Graeme Lowdon Appointed Team Principal for Cadillac’s F1 Project  👀

New Leadership for Cadillac: Graeme Lowdon has been announced as the Team Principal for Cadillac’s Formula 1 team. This move was revealed by General Motors and TWG Global on Thursday. Marking a significant step toward their F1 debut in 2026.

Lowdon Takes the Helm at Cadillac F1: This announcement comes just 10 days after Formula One confirmed it had reached an agreement with General Motors to welcome Cadillac as the 11th team on the grid in 2026. Lowdon has been advising on the project for two years, bringing his wealth of experience to the team.

A Proven Leader in Motorsports: Lowdon’s motorsport career spans both F1 and the World Endurance Championship (WEC). He has a rich background in team management. Lowdon has served as CEO of Manor during its time in F1 under the Virgin and Marussia banners. In addition to his new role as Team Principal, Lowdon is currently the manager for Sauber driver Zhou Guanyu.

Expanding the Cadillac F1 Team: The project which started under the Andretti name in January 2023 has since expanded. Initially rejected by Formula One Management, the team has made significant progress in 2024. Bringing on new hires across various departments. Cadillac's F1 operations will be based in several locations. Including Silverstone, England; Warren, Michigan; and Charlotte, North Carolina.

Farewell to a Special Duo: Leclerc and Sainz's Journey 🔴

The End of C²: Leclerc and Sainz’s Unique Bond: Leclerc and Sainz’s dynamic has been a highlight for Ferrari fans over the past four years. Their friendship, often dubbed “C²,” grew stronger despite the competitive pressures of Formula 1. From lighthearted moments like Sainz gifting Leclerc a chili pepper to more intense race-day clashes. Their connection has been genuine. Both professionally and personally.

Strong Performances, Shared Success: In their time together, both drivers have delivered some of their best performances. Leclerc secured three wins and 12 podiums in 2024. While Sainz earned two victories and eight podium finishes. Though tensions occasionally flared on track. Especially after races like the Las Vegas GP. Their ability to separate personal from professional issues allowed them to move forward quickly.

A Lasting Legacy: As the checkered flag falls at the end of the season, it will mark not just the conclusion of a racing chapter but also the end of an era in Ferrari’s garage. Despite their professional split, Leclerc and Sainz’s friendship will endure, with Sainz's future helmet featuring a personal tribute to his teammate.

“I’m glad I met him, and I’m glad I raced with him,” Sainz said, reflecting on their time together. The duo may no longer race side-by-side, but their memories as C² will live on.