Novak Djokovic congratulates Lando Norris-led McLaren on winning 2024 F1 Constructors' Championship with impressive Abu Dhabi victory

By Pratap S.

Modified Dec 09, 2024 20:41 GMT

2024 Shanghai Rolex Masters - Day 14 (Finals) - Source: Getty — The Serbian tennis star has congratulated McLaren - Source: Getty

Novak Djokovic, 24-time Grand Slam singles champion, congratulated McLaren on sealing the Formula 1 Constructors' Championship for the first time since 1998 at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday. Notably, 26 years between championships is a record interval for a constructor in F1.

The Serb posted McLaren's post from its official Instagram handle, where the British company had posted:

"It's a papaya party over here."

Congratulating the team in his story, Djokovic added the hashtag, "papaya" Notably, Papaya Orange is the signature color of the McLaren Racing Team, having been chosen by its founder Bruce McLaren.

Djokovic congratulated McLaren on its momentous achievement - Source: @djokernole on Instagram

Britain's Lando Norris proved to be the decisive factor in Abu Dhabi, edging out Ferrari's Carlos Sainz from pole position to secure his fourth win of the season and hand his team the constructors' title. Norris finished second in the Driver's Championship with 374 points. Oscar Piastri, his McLaren teammate, finished fourth with 292 points.

Last month, Red Bull's Max Verstappen secured his fourth consecutive Formula One Drivers' World Championship with a fifth-place finish at the Las Vegas Grand Prix in the US. The Dutch finished the Abu Dhabi race in the sixth position.

What has Novak Djokovic been up to?

Men's Tennis Singles gold medalist Novak Djokovic waves to fans at the 2024 Paris Olympics - Source: Getty

Novak Djokovic's only title triumph in 2024 came at the Olympics in Paris, where he outlasted Spain's Carlos Alcaraz in two sets to win the Gold. With the first-place finish at the Olympics, the Serb completed a Career Golden Slam, which had long eluded him. However, he was unable to win any of the majors, with his best display coming at Wimbledon where he made the final.

Novak Djokovic enjoyed a massively successful 2023 season when he clinched three Grand Slams.

The Serbian star will begin his next season with long-time rival, the now-retired Andy Murray, as part of his coaching entourage. The decision to rope in Murray, Djokovic has revealed, stemmed from the fact he was looking for a Grand Slam winner and former No. 1 to coach him after splitting with Goran Ivanisevic earlier this year.

""I realised that the perfect coach for me at this point would be someone that has been through the experiences that I’m going through,” Djokovic explained (via Sky Sports).

In 2025, the Serb has said he plans to go "full throttle" and play more tournaments. In a recent conversation with Gazzetta dello Sport, the Serb insisted that he can still play at the "highest level."

About the author

Pratap is a tennis journalist at Sportskeeda. With over five years of professional experience in diverse media roles and a Master's degree in Mass Communication and Journalism. Pratap has honed his skills in storytelling and reporting. He began his career in Northeast India, contributing to prominent platforms like The Sentinel, India Today NE, and EastMojo. Later, he transitioned to writing for RT’s international website, focusing on India-centric stories.

A lifelong tennis enthusiast, Pratap’s journey into tennis journalism stems from a deep-rooted love for the sport that began in his school days. At Sportskeeda, he channels this passion into covering tennis, offering readers a mix of match analysis, player profiles, and unique takes on the sport’s evolving dynamics.

Pratap stays updated by religiously watching Tennis TV highlights and tracking the latest developments on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter). He values accuracy and ethics, relying on credible sources like BBC and The Guardian to ensure his content is both trustworthy and engaging.

Among his career highlights are interviews with local politicians, environmentalists, and athletes during his tenure with various media outlets. Now, writing about tennis is a milestone that aligns his professional expertise with his personal passion.

Pratap admires Novak Djokovic for his resilience and ability to thrive under pressure. His favorite event is Wimbledon, a tournament he reveres for its unmatched legacy and prestige. Off the court, he enjoys music, cinema, and reading, pursuits that enrich his perspective as a storyteller.

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Edited by Riddhiman Sarkar