Earlier this week, Grid Master saw a mega prize pot worth Rs.10,000. A great achievement and milestone marking the forward trajectory of what we wish to achieve with the vision at Grid Master. This marks a great milestone for us and we cannot be more pleased for all our lovely Grid Master participants celebrating the art of motorsport with us.

Missed it? Hey, don’t worry at all and stay tuned for more such exciting contests coming your way in 2025, only on Grid Master!

We returned one last time to bid farewell to a season that was truly like no other. What began as a seemingly predictable chapter in the longest calendar year in motorsport evolved into an electrifying mix of uncertainty, excitement, action, and drama—both on and off the track. Most notably, it gifted us with fierce new rivalries (Netflix would so milk it) and unforgettable battles that defined the season.

The championship battle loomed as final practice began, with 6 rookies stepping into the spotlight (just for the plot). Among them, the Leclerc brothers made history as the first siblings to share a session for the same team. McLaren emerged as clear favourites, with Ferrari close enough to pressure but just out of reach (Ferrari fans still holding tight on their hopes or as other people call it DELU-RIUM).

Saturday's qualifying saw Red Bull shine as Verstappen dominated with a stunning lap, even sitting out part of Q2. Drama hit as a dislodged bollard from a Haas got trapped under Hamilton's car, ending his session, while Leclerc’s deleted lap knocked him out in Q2. McLaren's front-row lockout left even the most optimistic of Ferrari fans, bracing for a tough race.

McLaren aimed for victory with Norris and Piastri leading, while Sainz started close behind. Leclerc faced a P19 start after a grid penalty. Chaos erupted on lap 1 as Verstappen collided with Piastri at Turn 1, admitting he got unlucky (which is the best of the guilt admission you are going get from Max), spinning both of them. Later, Bottas made contact, ending what could have been Perez's final race with Red Bull (and potentially, F1)

With Oscar Piastri out, Lando Norris carried McLaren's championship hopes with a flawless drive. Charles Leclerc delivered a stunning recovery, climbing to P3 behind his teammate, with Ferrari ready to pounce on any McLaren mistake. Meanwhile, Hamilton battled Russell for P5, as retirements from Colapinto, Bottas, and Magnussen added to the drama.

Sainz and Leclerc gave it their all, mounting a fierce challenge in a battle that felt closer than ever. Yet, McLaren remained one step ahead, brought to life by what can only be described as a masterclass from Lando Norris under immense pressure. His superb drive secured them top step of the podium and sealed McLaren's victory in the 2024 Constructors' Championship. Ferrari claimed the remaining podium spots, while the night concluded with Sir Hamilton’s last donuts in a Mercedes!

Since Miami onwards, McLaren has been turning up to weekends being the fastest car. They faced their fair share of criticism as they found themselves in the championship fight a season prior than they had anticipated. A season where barely any track posed a threat to their car, they deserve all the accolades and applauses to have won the much deserving Constructors championship. A year marked with 0 DNFs from the Woking based team, after long wait is commendable. 2025 can’t come sooner.

This weekend was an emotional rollercoaster for fans, as alongside the on-track drama, came the closing of many chapters. The iconic partnership between Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes reached its farewell and Carlos Sainz, though laser-focused on results, took time to celebrate and reflect on 4 successful years with Ferrari. The race also served as a farewell for Bottas, Zhou, Magnussen, and Colapinto, drivers who will be missed on the grid. As the final laps were completed, the weekend marked not just the end of a chapter for many, but also the dawn of new beginnings for others.

More sports for 2025? 👀

Keep an eye out for next week’s newsletter for a reveal of a Surprise for our lovely Grid Master players to end this year on a bang.

Also, stay tuned to see how your fantasy picks performed throughout this thrilling season. We'll take a look at your MVPs, the points you've amassed, and reflect on how well you did, all while reliving the key moments and highlights from each weekend.

SHEIKH SHIFTERS