Breaking: F1 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix starting grid with penalties applied after…read more
F1 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix starting grid with penalties applied after…read more
The official starting grid for the 2024 Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has been finalized, following late penalty rulings by the FIA stewards. This weekend’s race at the Yas Marina Circuit marks the 24th and final round of a dramatic F1 season, with the constructors’ championship battle between McLaren and Ferrari going down to the wire.
Ferrari enters the finale 21 points behind McLaren, with both teams vying for the coveted second place in the standings. Positions further down the constructors’ championship are also yet to be decided, ensuring a competitive and action-packed conclusion to the season.
On the drivers’ front, Max Verstappen has already secured his fourth consecutive championship title, having clinched the crown at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. However, the Red Bull driver will begin the Abu Dhabi race from fourth on the grid, as McLaren dominated qualifying. Lando Norris claimed pole position with a blistering lap of 1:22.595, edging out teammate Oscar Piastri by 0.209 seconds. This result secures McLaren’s first all-front-row start of the season and boosts their chances of beating Ferrari in the constructors’ standings.
Carlos Sainz kept Ferrari’s hopes alive with a solid qualifying performance, taking third on the grid, just 0.229 seconds off Norris’s pace. Meanwhile, Pierre Gasly delivered a standout lap for Alpine, securing fifth place ahead of Mercedes driver George Russell, who will start sixth.
Penalties played a significant role in shaping the final grid. Nico Hülkenberg, initially set to start higher, was handed a three-place grid penalty for overtaking at the pit exit during qualifying. The most severe penalty, however, was given to Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who received a 10-place grid drop for exceeding his allocation of energy store components. As a result, Leclerc will start at the back, complicating Ferrari’s fight against McLaren.
Final Starting Grid for the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
1. Lando Norris (McLaren) – 1:22.595
2. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – +0.209
3. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) – +0.229
4. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – +0.350
5. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) – +0.389
6. George Russell (Mercedes) – +0.537
7. Nico Hülkenberg (Haas) – +0.291
8. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – +0.601
9. Valtteri Bottas (Kick Sauber) – +0.609
10. Sergio Pérez (Red Bull) – +0.669
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix starts at 5 p.m. local time (GST) on Sunday, December 8, 2024. Fans worldwide can follow the race at 2 p.m. CET, 1 p.m. GMT, or early morning hours in the United States (8 a.m. EST).
With a thrilling grid lineup and championship battles still unresolved, the Yas Marina Circuit promises an unforgettable season finale.
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