ADVERTISEMENT
AutoGear
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Circuits
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語
  • STANDINGS
No Result
View All Result
AutoGear
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Circuits
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語
  • STANDINGS
No Result
View All Result
AutoGear

Abu Dhabi GP Grid Penalties Shake Up Finale as McLaren Edges Closer to Constructors’ Title – Grand Prix starting grid after three penalties

Carl Harrison by Carl Harrison
January 9, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 4 mins read
0
Abu Dhabi GP Grid Penalties Shake Up Finale as McLaren Edges Closer to Constructors’ Title – Grand Prix starting grid after three penalties

Formula One F1 - Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - December 7, 2024 Ferrari's Charles Leclerc during qualifying REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed

ADVERTISEMENT

The 2024 Formula 1 season finale at Abu Dhabi is set to deliver high drama after a flurry of grid penalties reshuffled the starting order. Three penalties have altered the grid for Sunday’s race, including one with major implications for the championship fight between McLaren and Ferrari.


Leclerc’s Penalty Compounds Ferrari’s Woes

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc faces a 10-place grid penalty for taking a third energy store this season, a move that drops him from 14th to 19th on the grid. The penalty, combined with the deletion of his best Q2 lap for track limits, leaves Ferrari facing an uphill battle to claw back McLaren’s 21-point lead in the Constructors’ Championship.

Leclerc’s demotion, however, is slightly cushioned by penalties for both Williams drivers. Alex Albon and Franco Colapinto were hit with five-place grid penalties for additional gearbox changes after recent crash damage. With Colapinto struggling with floor repairs and qualifying last, the penalties mean Leclerc avoids starting dead last, slotting into 19th ahead of Colapinto and Albon.

ADVERTISEMENT

Hamilton and Doohan Benefit from Chaos

The penalties also provide a small boost for Lewis Hamilton and Jack Doohan, both of whom endured difficult qualifying sessions. Hamilton, in his final race for Mercedes, initially qualified 18th after a stray bollard disrupted his session, but moves up to 16th. Alpine debutant Doohan, replacing Esteban Ocon after his early split from the team, moves to 17th despite being slowest in Q1 due to traffic.


McLaren in Pole Position for Glory

McLaren’s commanding front-row lockout, with Lando Norris on pole and Oscar Piastri alongside him, puts the Woking-based team in a prime position to clinch its first Constructors’ Championship since 1998. With Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz starting third and Leclerc relegated to 19th, the odds heavily favor McLaren to seal the deal.

“McLaren is in the best possible position to finish this off,” Norris said. “It’s all about staying focused and delivering tomorrow.”


Hulkenberg and Haas Shine but Face Tough Battle

Nico Hulkenberg’s stunning fourth-place qualifying performance for Haas is a highlight of the weekend. However, despite the German’s strong showing, Haas faces a steep challenge in its fight for sixth in the Constructors’ Championship. The team needs a six-point swing to leapfrog Alpine, but with Pierre Gasly starting sixth for Alpine, the task looks daunting.


Key Starting Grid Adjustments

  1. Lando Norris (McLaren)
  2. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
  3. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari)
  4. Nico Hulkenberg (Haas)
  5. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
  6. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
  7. George Russell (Mercedes)
  8. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
  9. Valtteri Bottas (Sauber)
  10. Sergio Perez (Red Bull)
  11. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) (+2 positions)
  12. Jack Doohan (Alpine) (+3 positions)
  13. Alex Albon (Williams) (drops 2 positions after penalty)
  14. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) (drops 5 positions after penalty)
  15. Franco Colapinto (Williams) (remains last after penalty)

Final Race Stakes

With McLaren poised to take the Constructors’ Championship, Ferrari needs a miracle. Even if Sainz can deliver a heroic result from third, Leclerc’s distant starting position severely limits Ferrari’s scoring potential. Meanwhile, the midfield battles remain intense, with Haas and Alpine locked in a tight fight for sixth place.

As the lights go out for the season finale, the reshuffled grid promises drama, strategy, and one last chance for teams and drivers to leave their mark on 2024. Will McLaren close the deal? Can Ferrari pull off an improbable upset? The answers await under the lights of Yas Marina.

Share212Tweet133Send

Related Posts

Helmut Marko warns F1 rivals: Max Verstappen’s dominance is just beginning!
Motorsports

Helmut Marko warns F1 rivals: Max Verstappen’s dominance is just beginning!

Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool

by Publisher
December 14, 2025
Lewis Hamilton faces shocking retirement threat: is the magic of F1 truly gone?
Motorsports

Lewis Hamilton faces shocking retirement threat: is the magic of F1 truly gone?

Formula One F1 - Hungarian Grand Prix - Hungaroring, Budapest, Hungary - July 31, 2025 Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton ahead of...

by David Castro
December 14, 2025
Max Verstappen reveals shocking truth about ground effect cars: my back is breaking!
Motorsports

Max Verstappen reveals shocking truth about ground effect cars: my back is breaking!

Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool

by David Castro
December 14, 2025
Helmut Marko exits Red Bull: does Max Verstappen truly need him to soar?
Motorsports

Helmut Marko exits Red Bull: does Max Verstappen truly need him to soar?

Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool

by Miguel Cunha
December 14, 2025

Recent News

Helmut Marko warns F1 rivals: Max Verstappen’s dominance is just beginning!

Helmut Marko warns F1 rivals: Max Verstappen’s dominance is just beginning!

December 14, 2025
Lewis Hamilton faces shocking retirement threat: is the magic of F1 truly gone?

Lewis Hamilton faces shocking retirement threat: is the magic of F1 truly gone?

December 14, 2025
Max Verstappen reveals shocking truth about ground effect cars: my back is breaking!

Max Verstappen reveals shocking truth about ground effect cars: my back is breaking!

December 14, 2025
Helmut Marko exits Red Bull: does Max Verstappen truly need him to soar?

Helmut Marko exits Red Bull: does Max Verstappen truly need him to soar?

December 14, 2025

Newsletter

ADVERTISEMENT

  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • TECHNICAL INFORMATION
  • EDITORIAL STATUS
  • TERMS AND CONDITIONS

© 2023 AutoGear - Todos os direitos reservados AutoGear.

No Result
View All Result
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Circuits
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語

© 2023 AutoGear - Todos os direitos reservados AutoGear.