Just In: FIA Confirms Starting Grid for the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix After Penalties Applied...

FIA Confirms Starting Grid for the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix After Penalties Applied

The FIA has officially confirmed the starting grid for the 2024 Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the final race of the season. This highly anticipated event at the Yas Marina Circuit marks the 24th round of the 2024 F1 calendar and promises an exciting conclusion to the year, particularly with the battle for the Constructors’ Championship still in the balance.

Heading into this season-ending race, McLaren and Ferrari are locked in a fierce fight for the Constructors’ title. McLaren holds a 21-point lead over Ferrari, but with a maximum of 44 points still available in the race, Ferrari remains in contention. This high-stakes showdown adds even more drama to what has already been an exhilarating season.

While Max Verstappen has already secured the 2024 Drivers’ Championship—his fourth consecutive title, clinched during the Las Vegas Grand Prix—there’s still plenty at stake for the other teams and drivers. Positions further down the Constructors’ Championship standings are also up for grabs, with teams vying for crucial points to secure their places in the rankings.

In terms of qualifying results, Lando Norris delivered an outstanding performance for McLaren, securing pole position with a time of 1:22.595. His teammate, Oscar Piastri, will start alongside him in second place, marking a brilliant 1-2 finish for McLaren in qualifying. This result puts the team in a strong position for the race, as they aim to fend off Ferrari and claim the Constructors’ title.

Carlos Sainz of Ferrari will start from third place on the grid, just 0.229 seconds behind Norris. Although Ferrari has a significant gap to close in the championship, Sainz’s strong starting position gives them a fighting chance to challenge McLaren in the race.

Meanwhile, Verstappen will start from fourth place, having qualified with a time just 0.350 seconds off the pace. Despite dominating much of the 2024 season, Verstappen will have to battle his way forward from this position if he wants to end the year on a high note.

Pierre Gasly of Alpine put in a solid performance and will start from fifth, followed by Mercedes’ George Russell in sixth. However, the grid order has been influenced by several penalties handed out by the stewards, affecting the final lineup for Sunday’s race.

Grid Penalties Shake Up the Starting Lineup

One of the key drivers affected by penalties is Nico Hulkenberg of Haas. After an impressive drive that initially saw him qualify fourth, Hulkenberg was handed a three-place grid penalty for overtaking at the pit exit during qualifying. This penalty drops him to seventh on the starting grid.

Alex Albon of Williams will also be starting lower than initially expected. Albon was handed a five-place grid penalty for a late gearbox change, moving him down to 18th place. Williams teammate Franco Colapinto received a similar penalty, also for a gearbox change, and will start from the back of the grid in 20th position.

Charles Leclerc of Ferrari faced the harshest penalty of all. Leclerc was handed a 10-place grid drop for exceeding the allowed number of energy store component changes throughout the season. As a result, Leclerc, who qualified within the top 10, will now start from 19th, significantly impacting Ferrari’s hopes in their Constructors’ Championship battle with McLaren.

2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Starting Grid

1. Lando Norris [McLaren] – 1:22.595

2. Oscar Piastri [McLaren] – +0.209s

3. Carlos Sainz [Ferrari] – +0.229s

4. Max Verstappen [Red Bull] – +0.350s

5. Pierre Gasly [Alpine] – +0.389s

6. George Russell [Mercedes] – +0.537s

7. *Nico Hulkenberg [Haas] – +0.291s

8. Fernando Alonso [Aston Martin] – +0.601s

9. Valtteri Bottas [Kick Sauber] – +0.609s

10. Sergio Perez [Red Bull] – +0.669s

11. Yuki Tsunoda [VCARB]

12. Liam Lawson [VCARB]

13. Lance Stroll [Aston Martin]

14. Kevin Magnussen [Haas]

15. Zhou Guanyu [Kick Sauber]

16. Lewis Hamilton [Mercedes]

17. Jack Doohan [Alpine]

18. **Alex Albon [Williams]

19. ***Charles Leclerc [Ferrari]

20. ****Franco Colapinto [Williams]

(* Nico Hulkenberg received a three-place grid penalty for overtaking at the pit exit during qualifying. ** Alex Albon received a five-place grid penalty for a late gearbox change. *** Charles Leclerc received a 10-place grid penalty for exceeding the energy store component limit. **** Franco Colapinto received a five-place grid penalty for a late gearbox change.)

Race Start Times and Local Conversion

The final race of the 2024 season will take place today, Sunday, December 8, at 5 PM local time in Abu Dhabi (GST). Fans around the world can catch the action live by tuning in at the following times:

Central European Time (CET): 2 PM Sunday

United Kingdom (GMT): 1 PM Sunday

United States (EST): 8 AM Sunday

United States (CST): 7 AM Sunday

United States (PST): 5 AM Sunday

With the grid penalties applied and McLaren in a dominant position, the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix promises to be an exciting and unpredictable race. Ferrari will be pushing hard to overturn the 21-point gap to McLaren in the Constructors’ Championship, while the battle for positions further down the grid remains intense. As the season finale unfolds u

nder the lights of Yas Marina Circuit, fans can expect a thrilling end to a memorable Formula 1 season.