Jimmie Johnson sends across message to McLaren F1 boss following major triumph in Abu Dhabi

NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson congratulated McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown on clinching the 2024 F1 Constructors' Championship at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday (December 8).

It was Zak Brown’s McLaren's first Constructors Championship since 1998, ending their 26-year drought after Lando Norris beat Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz Jr. to win the 2024 season-ending race at Yas Marina Circuit. It marked McLaren’s ninth Constructors Championship, tying with Williams for the second most in F1 history.

NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson has expressed his admiration for his long-time friend Brown’s team’s resurgence in winning the 2024 Constructors Championship. On X (formerly Twitter), Johnson wrote:

“Congrats my friend! Gil and Mansour are smiling down.”

This win not only marked a historic achievement for the McLaren F1 team but also highlighted their strong performances throughout the season, led by their drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, with six combined wins. The team edged out Ferrari by 14 points, securing the Constructors' Championship in a dramatic season finale.

With 16 titles, Ferrari is leading in the most number of World Constructors' Championships victories.

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Jimmie Johnson once swapped rides with former F1 champion

NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson and two-time F1 World Drivers’ Champion Fernando Alonso swapped cars at the Bahrain International Circuit in 2018.

Johnson drove Alonso’s 2013 McLaren MP4-28, and Alonso drove Johnson’s #48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet.

Sharing his experience on jumping into the F1 cockpit, Johnson said:

“Such a different experience, and I don't think I'll stop smiling for months. The most epic experience I've ever had in motorsports in my life. It was almost like when you're young and you had that Christmas morning excitement, running out to the Christmas tree when you were five or six years old. It was above that. [03:32].

After retiring from full-time NASCAR Cup Series racing in 2020, Jimmie Johnson returned to the NASCAR track in 2023 on a part-time basis, behind the wheel of the #84 Toyota Camry XSE for his team, Legacy Motor Club (LMC).

In 2024, Johnson made nine starts, including the season-opener Daytona 500 and the title-deciding race at Phoenix Raceway. His season’s best finish of 28th came at Phoenix.

Johnson, who is NASCAR’s most accomplished driver, will return in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series for select races with LMC. He confirmed his participation during the Phoenix Championship weekend.