Charles Leclerc says Ferrari will give the fight for the Formula One constructors' championship their all in the final weekend at Abu Dhabi.
The Ferrari star finished second at the Qatar Grand Prix behind Max Verstappen, but bettered both McLaren drivers' positions, with Oscar Piastri in third and Lando Norris in 10th after he received a 10-second stop-go penalty.
That result means there are now just 21 points separating Ferrari and leaders McLaren in the constructors' championship ahead of the final race.
Leclerc has now finished on the podium 12 times in 2024, his best year in F1, surpassing his previous best of 11 in 2022. He is also now just nine points behind Norris in the drivers’ standings.
Ferrari knows a big result is needed in Abu Dhabi next weekend, and Leclerc is looking forward to seeing how things pan out.
"It's difficult to know [how Ferrari will perform in Abu Dhabi]," he said.
"I think we are all close, so I think it's going to be very tight, but it's exciting. Twenty-one points is still a lot, and everything is possible. We will give it our all.
"I'm really happy, I mean honestly, I would have signed a paper that told me that we will finish second after a weekend like this.
"Especially on a track like this because our car's characteristics is not fitting very well with this track, and we knew it was going to be a difficult weekend compared to McLaren, but in the end, we managed to take some points from them, so yeah, the fight will be all the way to the last race in Abu Dhabi next week."
Leclerc's team-mate Carlos Sainz finished in sixth after he suffered a puncture on lap 36 due to debris on the track.
"Honestly, I don't know if it was the debris or the way the kerbs are. I just ignored it because I knew that there was too much performance in it, and I was just hoping to not have a puncture myself as well," Leclerc added.
"For the debris, I was staying left on the straights, hoping it wouldn't bite me, and it didn't. It's a shame for Carlos. Obviously, as a team, it would have been great to be further up with Carlos, but it's the way it goes, and it's still a positive weekend for the team."
Verstappen's home Dutch Grand Prix to exit F1 calendar after 2026
Max Verstappen's home Dutch Grand Prix will drop off the calendar after the 2026 season, Formula One confirmed on Wednesday.
A one-year contract extension to host the race at the Zandvoort track, which returned to the schedule in 2021 after a 36-year absence, has been signed to ensure there will be two more events.
The penultimate edition of the Dutch Grand Prix will take place from August 29-31 in 2025, with the decision a blow to home favourite Verstappen.
The Red Bull driver won the first three races after Zandvoort returned to the calendar, before McLaren's Lando Norris triumphed this year.
Only Jim Clark (four) has won more times around the track than Verstappen, with his three triumphs level with Jackie Stewart and Niki Lauda.
Stefano Domenicali, F1's president and CEO, said: "I am incredibly grateful for the work that the team at the Dutch Grand Prix have done in recent years.
"All parties positively collaborated to find a solution to extend the race, with many options, including alternation or annual events on the table, and we respect the decision from the promoter to finish its amazing run in 2026."
Robert van Overdijk, Director of the Dutch Grand Prix, said: "We are a privately owned and operated business, and we must balance the opportunities presented by continuing to host the event, against other risks and responsibilities.
"We have decided to go out on a high with two more incredible Dutch Grands Prix in 2025 and 2026."
The calendar is already at a record 24 races and Domenicali has spoken of some European races alternating to allow others to come in.
The Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona, the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa and Imola in Italy are all seen as candidates for rotation from 2026.
F1 is seeking to expand into Africa, and is holding talks with Rwanda about an event near Kigali.
Leclerc brothers to make history at Abu Dhabi FP1 session
Charles and Arthur Leclerc will become the first brothers in history to participate in an F1 session as team-mates in Abu Dhabi this weekend.
The Ferrari duo will turn out in the first practice session at the Yas Marina Circuit, with Arthur replacing Carlos Sainz.
According to FIA regulations, all F1 drivers must sit out one FP1 each season to be replaced by a rookie with no more than two Grand Prix starts.
Charles made way for Ollie Bearman in Mexico, but with the incoming Haas driver now having appeared in a further two races, Arthur takes the place of Sainz to fulfil Ferrari's obligations.
Arthur, who raced in Formula 2 last year and ended the season in 15th place, has acted as Development Driver for Ferrari this year, while also racing in the Italian GT Championship and European Le Mans Series.
Currently third in the FIA World Championship, Charles will aim to leapfrog Lando Norris at the final Grand Prix of the season in Abu Dhabi, and secure a second-place finish behind runaway champion Max Verstappen for a second time in three years.
Sara Misir cops historic MP4 Championship honours
Sara Misir etched her name in the history books on Sunday, December 1, at the JRDC Final Showdown at Dover Raceway.
Misir entered the showdown with a commanding 16-point lead in the MP4 Class standings, and a second-place finish in Race One secured her seven additional points to clinch the MP4 Class Championship, making her the first woman in history to claim the title.
Lining up alongside veteran racer Doug "Hollywood" Gore on the front row, Misir took an early lead before mechanical challenges dropped her to second place. Despite Gore’s strong start, his campaign ended with a DNF in Race One, forcing him to retire for the remainder of the day.
Misir concluded the season with 55 points, while Gore finished with 39 points.
This historic achievement also makes Misir the first driver to win all four Modified Production classes using the same car in its various forms, cementing her legacy in Jamaican motorsport.
She expressed delight at the historic feat.
"Winning the MP4 Championship is not just a personal victory but also a testament to the hard work and dedication of my entire team. I hope this inspires more women to pursue their dreams in racing or any sport, for that matter," Misir said.
Her father and coach, Rugie Misir, praised her dedication.
"Sara’s commitment and drive, pun intended, have been evident throughout this season. To see her make history in MP4 is an immensely proud moment for our family and the sport in Jamaica," he noted.
Adding to the excitement of the MP4 Class, Kevin Chok delivered an impressive performance with two victories on the final day, securing 3rd overall in the MP4 Championship standings with 30 points.
Misir’s historic accomplishment highlights the impact of women in motorsport and sets the stage for an exciting 2025 racing season. Fans and competitors alike eagerly await the return of the Jamaica Race Drivers Club (JRDC) events in the new year.
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