Verstappen Claims Third F1 Title in Abu Dhabi

The 2024 Formula 1 season finale in Abu Dhabi is set against heightened tensions between George Russell and Max Verstappen, who recently had a heated exchange following a qualifying incident in Qatar. Verstappen received a grid penalty for impeding Russell, leading to accusations of aggression from Russell, who claimed Verstappen threatened to crash into him. Meanwhile, the Constructors' Championship remains competitive, with McLaren and Ferrari battling for the title, while Red Bull and Mercedes are locked into third and fourth place. Lewis Hamilton, having ended a two-and-a-half-year winless streak earlier in the season, expressed frustration over his car's competitiveness following a disappointing finish in Sao Paulo. Additionally, the Dutch Grand Prix, a pivotal event for Verstappen, will exit the F1 calendar after 2026, though it will feature one last race in 2026 with a new sprint format. As the season concludes, several driver positions and prize money allocations hang in the balance.