F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix qualifying delayed after freak accident…Read more
F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix qualifying delayed after freak accident
Qualifying for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit faced an unusual delay due to a freak incident during Q1.
Lewis Hamilton, in his final race with Mercedes, endured a tough session, failing to progress beyond Q1 and securing a disappointing 18th starting position.
The incident unfolded when Kevin Magnussen, attempting to clear the way for several cars on flying laps, cut the Turn 14 corner and inadvertently knocked over a track bollard.
The bollard became lodged under Hamilton’s car as he attempted to complete his lap, hindering his efforts to advance.
Although Magnussen’s mistake caused only a five-minute delay, it disrupted the flow of the session.
Marshals quickly replaced the bollard, allowing Q2 to proceed after a brief pause.
The drama didn’t end there. Sergio Perez faced frustration in Q1 after one of his lap times was deleted due to track limits, only to have it reinstated later.
While Perez managed to scrape into Q2, he had to use an additional set of tires unnecessarily because of the confusion.
Hamilton’s struggles capped off an action-packed Q1.
The seven-time world champion will leave Mercedes after a highly successful 12-season tenure with the team, which included multiple championships.
Starting next season, he will join Ferrari, marking the end of an era with the Brackley-based outfit.
The delay and unexpected developments in qualifying added to the anticipation for the season’s final race, setting the stage for an intriguing showdown.
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