McLaren seized the upper hand in the battle for the 2024 Constructors’ Championship after Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri dominated Friday’s FP2 session at the Yas Marina Circuit. Ferrari’s hopes of closing the 21-point gap look increasingly slim as McLaren flexed its muscle both in headline times and long-run simulations.
Norris and Piastri Lead the Charge
Lando Norris posted the fastest time of the session with a 1:23.517, edging teammate Oscar Piastri by 0.234 seconds. Piastri, however, showcased his prowess in race simulations, consistently managing blistering 1:29.2 laps that left Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc lamenting over team radio, “They are so fast.”
The McLaren duo’s form underscores the team’s bid to claim its first Constructors’ Championship since 1998, potentially ending a 16-year title drought for either McLaren or Ferrari.
Norris, while optimistic, tempered expectations, hinting at a strategic advantage. “We may have been running a higher engine mode than our rivals in FP2,” he revealed, suggesting a tighter battle in qualifying.
Ferrari Fades Under the Lights
After showing promise in FP1, Ferrari struggled in the cooler evening conditions. Carlos Sainz was their fastest driver, finishing fourth (+0.582s), while Leclerc placed sixth despite grappling with car setup issues and a 10-place grid penalty for a battery change.
Hulkenberg Shines for Haas
Haas driver Nico Hulkenberg delivered a standout performance, clocking the third-fastest time, just 0.462 seconds off Norris. His form boosts Haas’s chances in a three-way fight with RB and Alpine for sixth place in the Constructors’ Championship.
Midfield Intrigue: Bottas, Magnussen, and Albon Impress
Valtteri Bottas secured seventh for Sauber, leading a tight midfield pack that included Kevin Magnussen and Alex Albon, separated by just 0.039 seconds. Albon’s session was interrupted by a suspected mechanical issue, later traced to a loose right-rear tyre, but he managed to recover and complete valuable laps.
Red Bull’s Uncharacteristic Struggles
Reigning World Champion Max Verstappen endured a frustrating FP2, finishing a shocking 17th. The Dutchman voiced numerous complaints over team radio, citing a lack of front-end grip and balance issues with his RB20. “The front axle still doesn’t grip up,” Verstappen remarked after his qualifying simulation.
Teammate Sergio Perez fared little better, finishing 14th and leaving Red Bull in an unusual position heading into the weekend.
Other Notables
- Yuki Tsunoda rounded out the top 10 for RB, with teammate Liam Lawson close behind in 11th.
- Jack Doohan continued his acclimatization with Alpine, finishing 19th as he prepares for his F1 debut on Sunday.
- Franco Colapinto struggled with floor damage after running wide over a kerb, ending the session in 20th.
FP2 Final Standings
- Lando Norris (McLaren) – 1:23.517
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren) +0.234
- Nico Hulkenberg (Haas) +0.462
- Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) +0.582
- Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) +0.602
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) +0.684
- Valtteri Bottas (Sauber) +0.713
- Kevin Magnussen (Haas) +0.718
- Alex Albon (Williams) +0.752
- Yuki Tsunoda (RB) +0.980
Constructors’ Championship Showdown
McLaren’s dominance in Abu Dhabi leaves Ferrari facing an uphill battle to overturn the 21-point deficit. With 44 points up for grabs, the Scuderia will need flawless execution and perhaps a touch of luck to challenge McLaren’s seemingly unstoppable momentum.
As the 2024 Formula 1 season reaches its climax, all eyes are on the Yas Marina Circuit to see if McLaren can secure its first championship in over two decades—or if Ferrari can pull off a dramatic upset.
