Lando Norris said that he "let down" McLaren after a 10-second stop-and-go penalty saw him finish in 10th place at the Qatar Grand Prix.
The British driver was in a fight with newly-crowned four-time world champion Max Verstappen for the race lead before the penalty, for ignoring double-waved yellow flags, dropped him to the back of the field.
Norris recovered places in the last laps to finish just inside the top 10, but the result meant that McLaren's bid to win the Constructors' Championship will now go down to the wire in the final race of 2024 in Abu Dhabi this weekend.
“Honestly, I don’t know what I’ve done wrong at the minute. Apparently, I didn’t slow under the yellow. I’m not an idiot – if I knew there was a yellow I would have slowed down," Norris told Sky Sports after the race.
“I don’t know if I’ve missed it or just been dumb. But, yeah, the rule is if you don’t slow down under a yellow, that’s the penalty, so it’s a fair penalty.”
While Verstappen took the top step on the podium, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc finished second, with Norris' teammate Oscar Piastri in third. Ferrari, in a two-way fight with McLaren for the title, also had Carlos Sainz finishing in sixth place.
It meant that McLaren will head to Abu Dhabi with a 21-point lead over Ferrari as they set their sights on a first constructors’ title since 1998.
“The team gave me a great car, so I’m thankful to the team,” 25-year-old Norris said.
“Disappointed that I couldn’t have done a worse job than I did and not give them the points they deserve, so I’ve made the job of the team much harder than it needs to be. The team are doing a great job but I’ve let them down.”
Norris, who had challenged Verstappen (429 points) for the world championship before the Dutchman secured the title in Las Vegas, now has 349 points in his bag - only eight more than Leclerc in third, with the duo set to battle for the individual and team honours in the season finale.
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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