Breaking: Hamilton OUT in shock early exit as Red Bull star has decision over…read more
Hamilton OUT in shock early exit as Red Bull star has decision over…read more
McLaren seized a dominant front-row lockout in Saturday’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix qualifying, with Lando Norris snatching pole position in a dramatic final effort. Teammate Oscar Piastri secured second, underscoring McLaren’s growing strength late in the season. Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz claimed third, while Nico Hulkenberg of Haas surprised many by briefly topping the timesheets before settling for fourth, starting alongside reigning champion Max Verstappen.
However, the spotlight turned to Lewis Hamilton, whose final weekend with Mercedes took a disastrous turn. The seven-time world champion will start 18th, his worst qualifying position this season. In Q1, Kevin Magnussen’s attempt to yield space to the Brit inadvertently caused chaos. Magnussen struck a track bollard, which dislodged and lodged itself beneath Hamilton’s car. The damage severely disrupted Hamilton’s lap, preventing him from progressing to Q2 and marking a bitter end to his storied Mercedes career.
Red Bull’s Sergio Perez found himself in the midst of controversy yet again. Initially eliminated in Q1 for exceeding track limits, Perez had his lap time reinstated after a review by the stewards, allowing him to scrape through to Q2. This reprieve highlighted a difficult year for Perez, who has struggled to maintain consistent pace, failing to progress beyond Q1 six times this season. The decision to reinstate his lap time sparked debate among fans and pundits, with some questioning the stewards’ consistency on track limits enforcement.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc also endured a challenging session. The Monegasque driver was eliminated in Q2 after having his fastest lap deleted for exceeding track limits. To compound his woes, Leclerc will start from the back of the grid due to a 10-place penalty for exceeding his allocation of power unit components.
As the final race of the 2024 season looms, the grid order promises excitement and unpredictability. McLaren’s resurgence has positioned them as strong contenders for victory, while Ferrari and Haas look poised to challenge for significant points. For Hamilton, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix represents a bittersweet conclusion to his Mercedes journey, while Red Bull faces ongoing scrutiny over Perez’s performances and the team’s decisions.
All eyes are now on Yas Marina Circuit, where strategy, execution, and a touch of luck will play pivotal roles in the season finale.
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