With Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri one-two for lights-out in Abu Dhabi, McLaren stand on the point of the 2024 constructors’ championship. However there’s loads else to play for on Yas Island, with a mixed-up order behind them for the beginning of the season’s last spherical.
Ferrari are the one staff who might crash the papaya vehicles’ title social gathering and Carlos Sainz heads their hopes from P3 – it’s a lonely P3, although, as staff mate Charles Leclerc will begin his race from nineteenth place after a 10-place grid drop for energy unit modifications.
REPORT: Norris clinches pole place for Abu Dhabi GP forward of Piastri as McLaren lock out entrance row
It’s newly topped four-time champion Max Verstappen alongside Sainz, adopted by Pierre Gasly within the Alpine, Mercedes’ George Russell and Nico Hulkenberg – who had certified a spectacular fourth on his final Haas look, however was penalised three locations for passing within the pit lane.
A feisty Fernando Alonso begins eighth for Aston Martin, Valtteri Bottas is a season-best P9 on his final Kick Sauber outing, and Sergio Perez completes the highest ten in what he insists received’t be his final race partnering Verstappen at Crimson Bull.
A tricky Saturday session means Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes swansong will kick off from P16, whereas Alpine’s Jack Doohan makes his F1 race debut from P17. Each Williams took five-place grid drops for brand new gearbox elements, placing Alex Albon and Franco Colapinto 18th and twentieth respectively.
