As the 2024 Formula 1 season reaches its dramatic conclusion at Yas Marina Circuit, McLaren continues to lead the charge, leaving rivals Ferrari and Red Bull scrambling to solve their issues ahead of qualifying. With a strong showing in FP2 and FP3, McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri remain the favorites, while Ferrari faces internal struggles and Red Bull works to improve their car’s balance.
McLaren Keeps One Hand on the Constructors’ Trophy
McLaren’s dominance extended into Saturday, with Norris and Piastri topping the timing sheets once again. The Woking-based team’s advantage in both one-lap and long-run pace has them poised to secure their first Constructors’ Championship since 1998.
Despite Norris experiencing a brief off-track moment at Turns 1 and 13 during FP3, his pace was undeniable, as he closely followed his teammate, Piastri.
Ferrari’s Woes: Leclerc’s Grim Assessment
Ferrari’s weekend became more challenging with Charles Leclerc’s 10-place grid penalty for a new battery. While Leclerc managed a competitive pace in FP2, his comments in FP3 painted a dire picture.
“We are nowhere, nowhere,” Leclerc lamented after being informed of McLaren’s lap times. Adding to Ferrari’s troubles, Carlos Sainz was seen driving with smoke emanating from the rear of his car, raising concerns about reliability.
Red Bull’s Struggles Continue
Red Bull showed signs of improvement from FP2 to FP3, but their performance remains far from the front-runners. Max Verstappen, fresh off securing his fourth Drivers’ Championship, expressed frustration over the RB20’s handling, citing braking issues and a lack of front-end grip.
Verstappen on team radio: “Brakes are not working; the front axle is not biting.”
Despite these setbacks, Verstappen briefly climbed to third fastest during FP3 before track limits violations and understeer issues hampered his progress. Sergio Perez also struggled, with Zhou Guanyu voicing his displeasure over an on-track incident with the Red Bull driver.
Mercedes: Mixed Fortunes
Lewis Hamilton continues to show strength in what could be his final weekend with Mercedes, outpacing his teammate George Russell. Russell, however, battled unexplained slowness early in FP3, later reporting improvements after a differential setup adjustment.
Russell on team radio: “Not sure what’s going on; car feels okay, just very slow.”
FP3 Highlights
- Aston Martin’s Early Runs: Fernando Alonso’s upbeat demeanor contrasted sharply with his struggles in FP2, signaling hope for a better qualifying.
- Midfield Surprises: Kevin Magnussen led the timings early in FP3, with Nico Hulkenberg also showing strong pace. Alex Albon eventually dethroned Magnussen but noted balance shifts in his car during the session.
- Track Limit Violations: Verstappen and others, including Norris, struggled to stay within the limits at Turn 1, leading to multiple lap time deletions.
Top Times from FP3 (Provisional)
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
- Lando Norris (McLaren)
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
- Alex Albon (Williams)
What’s Next?
With qualifying looming under the lights, the spotlight is on McLaren to maintain their edge and secure pole positions. Ferrari and Red Bull will be looking for last-minute adjustments to close the gap, while Mercedes remains a wildcard with Hamilton showing potential.
As the Constructors’ Championship fight enters its final hours, all eyes are on Yas Marina Circuit to see if McLaren can deliver the knockout blow or if Ferrari and Red Bull can mount a late challenge.
Key Takeaways
- McLaren Dominance: Piastri and Norris continue to lead the field, reinforcing their Constructors’ Championship hopes.
- Ferrari’s Challenges: Grid penalties and reliability concerns leave Ferrari in a tough spot.
- Red Bull’s Recovery: Verstappen improves slightly but remains off the pace, citing braking and understeer issues.
- Midfield Wildcards: Magnussen and Albon surprise with strong pace, shaking up the midfield battle.
