McLaren-Mercedes returns to the top, Formula E Season kicks off in Brazil and Bernie Ecclestone sells his F1 Collection

Welcome to Draft Line Digest, your weekly racing newsletter for the latest motorsport news! From the track to the garage and beyond, we’ve got you covered, whether you're a die-hard Formula 1 fan or a rookie regarding anything with four wheels and an engine.

In this issue: The Formula 1 season has ended with a historical constructor’s champion, Formula E season started in Sao Paulo and Bernie Ecclestone is selling 69 of his F1 cars. Rev it up and let’s go!

The McLarens have been quick this season, and Abu Dhabi was no exception, with Lando Norris starting on pole ahead of teammate Oscar Piastri.

The Australian's race was disrupted at the very first corner after a collision with Max Verstappen, who started 3rd. The Dutchman received a 10-second penalty. This allowed Carlos Sainz to move up to 2nd place, reigniting the battle for the Constructors’ Championship.

However, the papaya McLaren of Norris was simply too strong, and the Briton claimed his 4th career victory. McLaren, after a 26-year wait (their last title being in 1998), secured their 9th Constructors’ Championship with 666 points, beating Ferrari’s 652. Before moving to Williams in 2025, Carlos Sainz managed to secure 2nd place, but the remarkable achievement belonged to Charles Leclerc, who finished 3rd after starting 18th on the grid.

Lewis Hamilton finished 4th after overtaking teammate George Russell on the final lap. Hamilton is heading to Ferrari next season, and many observers are looking forward to seeing how the seven-time World Champion will adapt to the pressure of the Tifosi.

For the full Grand Prix results, click here

Got hundreds of millions of dollars to spend? Good news, because Bernie Ecclestone is selling his Formula 1 collection. The former F1 boss is putting 69 of his race-used Formula 1 cars on the market. The collection includes iconic cars like Ascari's Ferrari and Michael Schumacher's F2002, as well as some Brabham cars—such as the BT46 "Fan Car," which raced and won a single Grand Prix in 1978—owned by Ecclestone, when he led the team from 1971 to 1988.

The entire collection will be sold by automotive expert Tom Hartley Jr. under the title The History of Formula One. The collection is estimated to be worth nearly $400 million.

As the Formula 1 season concluded, Formula E kicked off this weekend in São Paulo. Last season’s Formula E Champion, Pascal Wehrlein, started on pole. The race was eventful, with two red flags, including one caused by a horrific crash involving Wehrlein.

In this chaotic race with two red-flags, it was Mitch Evans (Jaguar) who crossed the finish line first, claiming his 13th career victory and the first-ever Formula E win from last place on the grid. Antonio Felix Da Costa (Porsche) and Taylor-Barnard (McLaren Nissan) finished 2nd and 3rd, respectively.

The news broke shortly after the Qatar Grand Prix: Esteban Ocon, the most recent winner for the Alpine F1 Team, was reportedly set to be replaced by Jack Doohan for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Oliver Oakes, the team principal, was questioned about the rumor by French broadcaster CANAL+ after the race. His response? He claimed he “didn’t know” about the French driver’s situation. Two possibilities arise: either he was serious—which is troubling given his position—or he was mocking the entire paddock, which is equally problematic.

The information became official 24 hours later, and Ocon reacted at length on his social media. One sentence caught attention: “This is not how I wanted things to end.” Neither us.

Reportedly, on the morning of the Grand Prix, Ocon was summoned to Flavio Briatore’s office (yes, he’s back) and was simply advised to comply. If he refused, he would be barred from participating in post-season tests with his new team, HAAS. Additionally, Mercedes may have had a say in the matter, as Ocon remains under contract with them until the end of the calendar year.

Alpine team principal Oliver Oakes commented: “I guess Flav and Toto have been discussing that, haven’t they? I’ve been busy racing. It’s not my decision to make.”

Alpine has turned into a joke as the season progressed—and even before that. The once-promising “Ferrari of France” project was nothing but smoke and mirrors. Some believed in it, understandably. The discontinuation of Renault V6 engines from 2026 is a disgrace for France’s motorsport history. The management of Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon by Bruno Famin, who left mid-season, and the rest of the team has been disastrous. To make matters worse, their technical director Matt Harman and head of aerodynamics Dirk de Beer also resigned.

As for Ocon’s ousting, what can be expected from a team that in 2022 had Ocon, Fernando Alonso, and Oscar Piastri in its ranks? Where are the other two now? Wait.

This year, aside from the miraculous double-podium at the Brazilian Grand Prix, Alpine has struggled to score points, with HAAS breathing down their necks in the Championship standings. Fortunately, the season is finally over for the Blues and they finished ahead of their American rivals. It’s time to turn the page, focus on 2025, and let Ocon race more peacefully with a talented teammate in Oliver Bearman. Could the two of them put the Blues under pressure in 2025?