The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix qualifying session delivered a spectacle of precision, power, and heartbreak. Lando Norris stood tall, setting a scorching 1:22.595 in Q3 to grab pole position, capping a stellar day for McLaren as teammate Oscar Piastri locked out the front row. Meanwhile, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton endured catastrophic sessions, placing them at the back of the grid for Sunday’s race.
Norris Shines as McLaren Locks Out the Front Row
Lando Norris was unstoppable under the Yas Marina lights, improving with each session before unleashing a lap that no one could match. His 0.209-second gap over teammate Oscar Piastri showcased McLaren’s dominance, as the team puts one hand on the Constructors’ Championship trophy.
Carlos Sainz ensured Ferrari had something to celebrate, qualifying third with a time of 1:22.824, just 0.229 seconds off the pole sitter. Nico Hulkenberg stunned the paddock by clinching fourth place for Haas in what might be his last F1 appearance. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, despite a wobbly Q3 lap, settled for fifth—a far cry from his usual dominance.
Disaster Strikes for Leclerc and Hamilton
For Charles Leclerc, the session was a nightmare. After a promising Q1 run, he faltered in Q2 with a lap deletion due to track limits. His final time placed him 14th, but a 10-place grid penalty for a battery pack change guarantees a last-place start for the Monegasque. Ferrari’s weekend now hinges on damage control.
Lewis Hamilton’s farewell qualifying with Mercedes was equally dismal. The seven-time world champion struggled in Q1, ending 18th after an incident involving an on-track bollard. It’s a bitter conclusion to his storied partnership with the Silver Arrows, with the Brit now looking to salvage his final race from deep in the pack.
Full Qualifying Results: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2024
| Pos | Driver | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lando Norris | 1:23.682 | 1:23.098 | 1:22.595 |
| 2 | Oscar Piastri | 1:23.640 | 1:23.199 | 1:22.804 |
| 3 | Carlos Sainz | 1:23.487 | 1:22.985 | 1:22.824 |
| 4 | Nico Hulkenberg | 1:23.722 | 1:23.040 | 1:22.886 |
| 5 | Max Verstappen | 1:23.516 | 1:22.998 | 1:22.945 |
| 6 | Pierre Gasly | 1:23.548 | 1:23.086 | 1:22.984 |
| 7 | George Russell | 1:23.678 | 1:23.283 | 1:23.132 |
| 8 | Fernando Alonso | 1:23.794 | 1:23.268 | 1:23.196 |
| 9 | Valtteri Bottas | 1:23.481 | 1:23.341 | |
| 10 | Sergio Perez | 1:23.559 | 1:23.379 | |
| 11 | Yuki Tsunoda | 1:23.735 | 1:23.419 | |
| 12 | Liam Lawson | 1:23.733 | 1:23.472 | |
| 13 | Lance Stroll | 1:23.729 | 1:23.784 | |
| 14 | Charles Leclerc | 1:23.302 | 1:23.833 | |
| 15 | Kevin Magnussen | 1:23.632 | 1:23.877 | |
| 16 | Alex Albon | 1:23.821 | ||
| 17 | Zhou Guanyu | 1:23.880 | ||
| 18 | Lewis Hamilton | 1:23.887 | ||
| 19 | Franco Colapinto | 1:23.912 | ||
| 20 | Jack Doohan | 1:24.105 |
The Stage is Set
The grid is ready for an electrifying Abu Dhabi Grand Prix finale. With Norris and McLaren at the front, Verstappen poised in the mix, and redemption missions for Leclerc and Hamilton, Sunday promises drama, overtakes, and perhaps a few surprises. Don’t miss the fireworks as the curtain falls on the 2024 Formula 1 season!
