The starting grid for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

That's it, the 2024 season is coming to an end this Sunday at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Just one more start before the winter break for the entire paddock. As for the grid, there were no real surprises since the McLaren confirmed their good form seen in free practice by securing a double in qualifying.

It is Lando Norris who sounded the charge with a 9th pole position in his career, his 8th this season. Thanks to a lap in 1'22"595, the Englishman beat his teammate Oscar piastri et Carlos Sainz who competes in his last Grand Prix with Ferrari in Abu Dhabi. Revelation of the weekend, Haas believed he had scored the big win in these qualifications thanks to 4th place Nico Hulkenberg but the German was eventually given a three-place penalty after overtaking two cars in the tunnel at the pit lane exit. That suited Pierre Gasly et Alpine in the fight for 6th place in the Constructors' category. The Frenchman took advantage of this to move up to 5th on the starting grid and therefore start ahead of his rival Haas, while the French team has a 5-point lead.

For the future teammates at Ferrari, their Sunday should rhyme with recovery. Trapped by the poor time management of Mercedes in qualifying, Lewis Hamilton was eliminated in Q1 on Saturday. Initially 18th, the Englishman has already gained two positions thanks to penalties from his opponents, including Charles Leclerc. The Monegasque lost his best time in Q2 for not respecting the track limits at Turn 1 and thus fell back to 14th. Penalized 10 places on the grid for the use of a third battery, he will start 19th, finding Franco Colapinto behind him, also penalized for the installation of a new gearbox on his Williams.

The starting grid for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

ALSO READ > Gasly-Hülkenberg: the battle of the leaders for 6th place Constructors