Lando Norris delivered a masterclass under the Yas Marina lights, clinching pole position for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in a thrilling finale to the 2024 Formula 1 qualifying season. The McLaren ace edged out teammate Oscar Piastri, locking out the front row for McLaren, while Carlos Sainz claimed a strong third-place start. But the session wasn’t without its share of drama and heartbreak, as Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton endured disastrous performances that will see them starting from the back of the grid.
Norris Reigns Supreme
Norris unleashed a blistering lap in the final seconds of Q3, cementing his place at the front for the season’s last showdown. His teammate, Oscar Piastri, put up a valiant fight but settled for second after briefly losing and then regaining a deleted lap time. With this result, McLaren edges closer to securing the Constructors’ Championship, riding high on a dominant performance.
Carlos Sainz will line up third in his Ferrari, capitalizing on an error from Max Verstappen, whose wild slide on his first attempt in Q3 cost him crucial time. Verstappen ultimately qualified fifth behind Nico Hulkenberg, who surprised with a sensational fourth-place effort in his final race for Haas.
Leclerc’s Nightmare and Hamilton’s Farewell in Ruins
For Charles Leclerc, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix qualifying session was nothing short of catastrophic. After a near-miss with the barriers in Q2, the Monegasque driver improved his lap time only to have it deleted for exceeding track limits. Compounding his misery, a 10-place grid penalty for a battery pack change ensures Leclerc will start last. Ferrari’s hopes for a strong finish have been dashed, leaving fans to wonder what went wrong for the Prancing Horse.
Equally shocking was the early exit of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. In his final outing with Mercedes, Hamilton was caught out in Q1, a bollard stuck under his car hampering his final attempt. The Brit will start Sunday’s race in 18th, marking a bitter end to his storied partnership with the Silver Arrows.
“I gave it everything, but luck just wasn’t on our side tonight,” said a visibly frustrated Hamilton after the session.
Qualifying Drama Unfolds
Q1: Hamilton Out in Shocker
The opening session saw chaos and heartbreak, with Sergio Perez initially losing a lap to track limits before having it reinstated, narrowly avoiding elimination. The final moments were a flurry of activity, but Hamilton couldn’t muster the pace to escape the bottom five, joining Alex Albon, Zhou Guanyu, Franco Colapinto, and Jack Doohan in an early exit.
Eliminated in Q1:
16. Alex Albon (Williams)
17. Zhou Guanyu (Kick Sauber)
18. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
19. Franco Colapinto (Williams)
20. Jack Doohan (Alpine)
Q2: Leclerc’s Collapse
Max Verstappen set the pace in Q2, but all eyes were on Charles Leclerc, whose session unraveled in dramatic fashion. After a snap of oversteer nearly ended his run, his best effort was wiped out due to track limits, leaving him 14th. With a grid penalty added, he’ll start last, ensuring a grueling Sunday for the Ferrari driver.
Eliminated in Q2:
11. Yuki Tsunoda (VCARB)
12. Liam Lawson (VCARB)
13. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
14. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
15. Kevin Magnussen (Haas)
Q3: Norris Seals the Deal
The final session saw an intense shootout as Verstappen’s first flying lap nearly ended in disaster with a wild slide, while Oscar Piastri’s initial time was reinstated after a track limits review. Lando Norris ultimately stole the show, setting the fastest lap of the session and securing his second pole position of the season.
Top 10 Starting Grid for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
- Lando Norris (McLaren)
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
- Carlos Sainz (Ferrari)
- Nico Hulkenberg (Haas)
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- Valtteri Bottas (Sauber)
- Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
- George Russell (Mercedes)
- Esteban Ocon (Alpine)
- Sergio Perez (Red Bull)
Sunday Showdown Awaits
The stage is set for an electrifying season finale. Can Norris convert his pole into a victory and crown McLaren’s resurgence? Will Leclerc and Hamilton stage heroic comebacks from the back? And what surprises lie in store under Abu Dhabi’s shimmering lights? Buckle up—this is a finale you don’t want to miss!