Source link : https://motorsports.best/2024/12/08/formula-1/lando-norris-wins-abu-dhabi-gp-to-safe-mclaren-constructors-title/
Lando Norris gained a dramatic season finale in Abu Dhabi as McLaren claimed their first constructors’ title since 1998.
Holding a 21-point lead over Ferrari firstly of the day, and with Norris on pole and Oscar Piastri simply behind him in second on the grid, all of the playing cards have been stacked in McLaren’s favour firstly of the race, particularly with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc nineteenth on the grid after a disastrous qualifying session.
However a first-lap collision between Piastri and world champion Max Verstappen – for which the Pink Bull driver was handed a 10-second penalty – despatched the Australian tumbling down the sector and he needed to work laborious to complete tenth.
That left Norris beneath large strain, realizing he needed to win the race to safe the title for McLaren. The Briton had each Ferraris respiratory down his neck, Leclerc having profited from the chaos to surge by way of the pack.
Ultimately, Norris held on to win by almost 6 seconds from Carlos Sainz, with Leclerc third.
“Me and Zak have already mentioned we’re going to get completely hammered tonight,” the 24 year-old mentioned of his victory plans with McLaren chief govt Zak Brown. “I’m excited. The entire workforce wish to have a good time and I wish to have a good time with them.”
Lewis Hamilton, in the meantime, produced what his workforce principal Toto Wolff known as “the drive of a champion” in his ultimate race for Mercedes, going from sixteenth to fourth.
The Ferrari-bound driver, who raised eyebrows by turning up earlier than the race sporting purple, handed team-mate George Russell on the final lap earlier than finishing up some ‘doughnuts’ on monitor because the crowds chanted ‘Lewis, Lewis’.
Extra to comply with…
03:34 PM GMTThat is it for 2024
We will probably be again for pre-season testing on the finish of February. There will even be loads of end-of-season content material in the intervening time. And a good bit of stories too. Thanks for becoming a member of us this 12 months, it has been an fulfilling one.
03:22 PM GMTA bit extra from race-winner Norris
“I am so pleased with everybody. It has been a stunning journey. To finish the season like that is excellent” 🟧
Lando Norris says it feels “unimaginable” to win the Constructors’ Championship for McLaren ⚙
03:10 PM GMTI assume Zak Brown loved this one03:07 PM GMTPiastri says Verstappen apologised to him
Just about right away after the race. Additionally says that it has been a superb 12 months however he has just a few issues to work on. A good evaluation.
03:07 PM GMTA few extra of Hamilton’s Mercedes farewell
03:03 PM GMTMore from McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown
“That was the worst two hours of my life by far. Lando drove brilliantly. Unlucky what occurred to Oscar firstly. I feel I used to be the one one able to have a coronary heart assault in the course of the race. That race, he carried us and to notice make any errors… he drove flawlessly. Subsequent, try to repeat constructors and try to get the drivers’. I let Oscar and Lando determine that one out.”
He has many phrases of reward for workforce principal Andrea Stella and says he’ll lead the workforce of their partying tonight.
02:58 PM GMTFinal constructor standings
Simply 14 factors the distinction in the long run between McLaren and Ferrari. Or two per cent. Small margins.
I feel Haas ought to be pleased with their season regardless of shedding out to Alpine. And Alpine ought to be proud to complete sixth after their disastrous begin. As a works workforce they need to be doing much better than that, but it surely was a advantageous comeback led by Pierre Gasly.
02:54 PM GMTFinal driver standings
On the very finish Alpine’s Pierre Gasly pips Nico Hulkenberg to tenth within the standings. They each had improbable seasons.
02:50 PM GMTToto Wolff indicators of to Lewis Hamilton
Hamilton had been on the radio for a superb time providing his thanks and ideas earlier than as he indicators off a record-breaking partnership.
“We love you too and you’ll all the time be a part of this household. And if we will’t win, you possibly can win.”
Hamilton is again within the Mercedes storage saying goodbye to the workforce, individually it appears.
02:48 PM GMTRace winner Lando Norris speaks
“I’m so pleased with everybody. It’s been a stunning journey and to finish the season like that is excellent it’s been a troublesome one however for us to win a constructors after 26 years is fairly particular. Me and Zak have already mentioned we’re gong to get completely hammered tonight, so I’m excited. It’s going to be a superb night time. I made my errors this 12 months however I’ve learnt quite a bit from Max and my opponents round me.”
02:47 PM GMT…and right here is Carlos Sainz, who completed second
“Clearly a little bit of a bittersweet feeling. Ultimately I feel P2 was the most effective we may do in the present day given the tempo of Lando within the McLaren. They simply bought a bit out of attain [in the second stint]. Congratulations in fact to McLaren, they deserve this. From our facet I feel we will be pleased with the hassle we put collectively.”
“Emotional in-lap with my engineer however on the identical time very grateful to be a part of this workforce for 4 years.”
02:43 PM GMTCharles Leclerc reacts after a superb third
He began nineteenth!
“I knew I needed to be very aggressive and in lap one take all of the dangers to achieve as many locations as doable… sadly we have been simply beginning too additional again to do something higher than what we’ve performed in the present day. It hurts as a result of when the season is so shut… we’ve simply come wanting our aim however on the finish we’ve tried all the pieces.
“Lewis has achieved a lot within the sport and it will likely be a giant motivation however for now I’m interested by the previous years I did with Carlos. I actually hoped we may end these 4 years along with a title. I’ll have 4 or 5 days to reset and begin interested by subsequent 12 months.”
02:39 PM GMTHamilton trying emotional
After ending just a few donuts on the grid he crouches down on the bottom on the grid, subsequent to his W15. He offers it a pat and exhales. The W15 has delivered him two victories.
He provides some phrases of congratulation to Zak Brown and McLaren. “I’m so joyful for you guys,” he says.
02:37 PM GMTMcLaren’s Zak Brown speaks to Ted Kravitz
“I like everybody in Woking! What an superior workforce effort. All of the women and men at McLaren, wonderful! That was annoying!”
Congratulations to him and McLaren. A very long time coming however that can imply quite a bit.
🏆 WE DID IT! CONSTRUCTORS’ CHAMPIONS! 🏆
To everybody at McLaren and each single fan on the market: this one’s for you. 🧡
We dreamt it. We constructed it. We WON it. LET’S GO! 🥳🔥
It’s their ninth constructors’ title.
02:35 PM GMTSainz provides some phrases of because of Ferrari
He finishes a robust second in his ultimate race earlier than shifting to Williams subsequent 12 months. It’s a double podium for Ferrari, who will probably be targetting double glory in 2025. A poor race for Pink Bull with Verstappen sixth after one other 10-second penalty and two penalty factors on his licence.
Seventh for Gasly secures sixth for Alpine. He has been very good within the ultimate third of the season.
02:33 PM GMTAbu Dhabi GP – High 10 classification
NOR
SAI
LEC
HAM
RUS
VER
GAS
HUL
ALO
PIA
Lawson, Bottas, Colapinto and Perez all retire. Magnussen takes the quickest lap however finishes sixteenth and final on the highway. Doubtless his final race in F1.
02:32 PM GMTLANDO NORRIS WINS THE 2024 ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX
McLaren are constructors champions for the primary time since 1998 and Lewis Hamilton has overtaken George Russell on the ultimate lap for fourth! It’s not sufficient for a podium however that may be a drive that’s extra becoming of his time at Mercedes. All the best way again from sixteenth on the grid. It means he outscores Russell by two factors over their three seasons at Mercedes if my maths are appropriate.
02:30 PM GMTFINAL LAP
Norris begins his ultimate tour of the race and of 2024. Hamilton will probably be proper on the again of Russell on the finish of the lap. We’ve got yellow flags in sector two, although, as Liam Lawson has stopped. That’s on the again straight. Lawson has retired and has been moved out of the best way.
Unsure if Hamilton has this one, truly. DRS disabled within the second sector. That may hamper him.
He closes up at flip 9…
02:29 PM GMTLap 57 of 58 – Two laps for Hamilton to get Russell
Russell has been advised to “hold it tremendous clear with Lewis”. That instruction got here from workforce principal Toto Wolff.
It won’t be on this lap however it will likely be both this or the ultimate lap that the transfer comes. I’m virtually sure of that.
02:27 PM GMTLap 56 of 58 – Norris about to lap team-mate Piastri right here
They began 1-2 on the grid however Piastri has fought again properly to get into tenth. Hamilton will get DRS on this lap. Russell beneath big strain. Will he resist?
02:26 PM GMTLap 55 of 58 – Hamilton closes the hole to Russell to 2.5sec
I feel it’s only a matter of time. Hamilton 1.1sec quicker than Leclerc too however there may be simply an excessive amount of time to make up there within the remaining laps so I feel a podium is an excessive amount of to ask until Leclerc’s tempo actually drops off.
02:25 PM GMTLap 54 of 58 – High 10
NOR
SAI
LEC
RUS
HAM
VER
GAS
HUL
ALO
PIA
02:25 PM GMTLap 53 of 58 – Norris leads by 7.1sec over Sainz
Hamilton has a greater lap, now 3.3sec the hole. No matter is occurring with Sainz appears to be OK now. Nonetheless missing tempo in comparison with Norris however not massively.
02:23 PM GMTLap 52 of 58 – Solely 0.6 Hamilton was quicker than Russell
Not inconceivable that Hamilton has pushed these mediums too laborious now…
02:22 PM GMTLap 51 of 48 – Norris cruising now
Hamilton crusing as much as Russell, taking almost a second from Russell and 0.7sec from Leclerc. I feel a podium is an excessive amount of to ask until Leclerc’s tyres surrender however fourth is probably going for Hamilton.
Sainz says he thinks he has a puncture however is advised that all the pieces is OK. That might assist Hamilton’s quest for a podium. His tempo is just not nice however is just not terrible.
02:19 PM GMTLap 50 of 58 – McLaren presently profitable the constructors’
Russell is struggling. Hamilton is just not. 6.3sec the hole between the pair now. Magnussen is the automobile between them however a lap down.
02:18 PM GMTLap 49 of 58 – Norris leads Sainz by 5.8sec
That is the type of hole the place Norris can simply drive conservately. Piastri up into eleventh after a pleasant transfer on Tsunoda.
Hamilton takes one other 0.8sec out of his team-mate forward. Leclerc in third about 0.4sec slower.
02:16 PM GMTLap 48 of 58 – Let you know what, Hamilton is flying right here
The tempo of Sainz, Leclerc and Russell is just not nice. Hamilton is no less than half a second faster than all of them and was 1.3sec quicker than Russell, who has lastly lapped Magnussen.
10 laps to go and eight.5sec the hole between the 2 with Sainz now 5.3sec up the highway.
02:15 PM GMTLap 47 of 58 – Piastri advised to remain calm
He had an off-track tour just lately however is advised that ninth is on the playing cards.
02:14 PM GMTLap 46 of 58 – A slower lap for Russell
Sainz has dropped to five.9sec behind Norris. Each Ferraris are struggling for tempo now, lapping within the mid 1:28s. Norris within the low 1:28s, Hamilton within the mid 1:27s. Russell now slower than the 2 Ferraris although is coming as much as lap Magnussen.
02:11 PM GMTLap 45 of 58 – High 10
NOR
SAI +4.9
LEC +27.2
RUS +31.0
HAM +42.8
GAS +49.1
VER +49.9
HUL +52.9
ALB +65.5
TSU +77.9
02:11 PM GMTLap 44 of 58 – Leclerc on the radio
“Like this we lose the constructors or not?” Leclerc asks.
“Like this sure, but it surely’s not completed. Preserve pushing,” he’s advised.
He’s in third however Russell is closing the hole to him fairly shortly. 0.7sec quicker final time. Possibly a podium is on for Hamilton right here.
02:09 PM GMTLap 43 of 58 – Verstappen into seventh
Hulkenberg slipping again within the Haas now. Need to say that the reconfigured monitor format has made this one of many higher locations for overtaking.
02:08 PM GMTLap 42 of 58 – Hamilton overtakes Gasly for fifth
George Russell is 14.4sec forward with Leclerc an extra 4.4sec forward of him. Unsure he has the tempo to get both of them, not to mention each, for that ultimate podium. However you will be positive as properly he will probably be pushing. He does have an eight-lap tyre benefit over Russell and 14-lap benefit over Leclerc. 0.8sec quicker than his team-mate final time, so that you by no means know.
02:07 PM GMTA unhappy finish to an F1 profession for Perez? In all probability
“All the time a little bit of a tragic one whenever you get a message throughout a race saying “X driver is within the interview pen now”. We bought that message from Sergio Perez’s press officer about 10 minutes into this grand prix. He would have needed to go and do it with the race happening within the background, with hardly anybody to talk to. In all probability the Mexican’s final interview pen in System One. Rumours abound that Liam Lawson will probably be introduced on the again finish of the week (as soon as Pink Bull’s homecoming celebration again on the manufacturing unit is out of the best way).”
02:06 PM GMTLap 41 of 58 – Norris takes 0.9sec from Sainz
4.6sec the lead now. Sainz did lap Zhou on the final tour so maybe that’s the reason. Norris ought to have this sewn up although. Gasly holding sturdy in fifth however has Hamilton 1.1sec behind now that the Briton has overtaken Hulkenberg for sith. Verstappen not holding tempo with Hamilton presently.
02:04 PM GMTLap 40 of 58 – Norris requested a query by his race engineer
“Do you assume you possibly can cross Sainz on recent tyres if he stayed out?”
That’s extra of a query if there’s a Security Automobile fairly than any seemingly change in present technique.
02:03 PM GMTLap 39 of 58 – Norris extends his result in 3.5sec over Sainz
We’ve got not seen a lot of him on our screens thus far in the present day. It could be a becoming method to safe the title and end the Briton’s best F1 season but. It could even be his fourth victory of 2024. Solely Verstappen has extra with 9.
02:01 PM GMTLap 38 of 58 – Hamilton’s tempo is nice
He’s the quickest man on monitor presently, lapping just a few tenths quicker than Norris the final time round.
02:00 PM GMTLap 37 of 58 – Piastri down in fifteenth
He has served his penalty now and mustn’t cease once more. He’s, although, 20 seconds outdoors of the factors. It’s not inconceivable…
01:59 PM GMTLap 36 of 58 – Verstappen will get Alonso for eighth
Norris has prolonged his lead over Sainz to three.1sec now after it hovering round two seconds for eight or 9 laps.
That is why Bottas needed to retire. A disgrace but it surely was a pretty big error from the Finn.
LAP 32/58
Bottas comes into the pits with harm after hitting Magnussen. The Finn is just not popping out once more ❌
Large disappointment for Valtteri in his ultimate race 😖
01:58 PM GMTLap 35 of 58 – Verstappen joins the HAM/ALO battle
13 world championships between them. Assume there’s a higher likelihood of Verstappen overtaking Alonso than Alonso overtaking Hamilton. The Aston Martin driver is on a lot older tyres.
01:56 PM GMTLap 34 of 58 – High 10 and gaps
NOR
SAI +2.5
LEC +22.6
RUS +25.6
GAS +33.3
HUL +35.2
HAM +35.4
ALO +43.1
VER +44.9
ALB +52.4
Hamilton has stopped however comes out simply in entrance of his previous mate Fernando Alonso.
LAP 35/58
Lewis Hamilton exits the pits after bolting on recent rubber. He is again out on monitor in P7.
He’ll be giving it completely all the pieces all the best way to the chequered flag 💪
01:54 PM GMTLap 33 of 58 – No signal of the SC but
Particles down at flip seven I consider. Piastri is available in and serves his 10-second time penalty. Sainz maintaining Norris sincere however that isn’t sufficient for Ferrari to dislodge McLaren on the high of the standings.
01:53 PM GMTLap 32 of 58 – Norris leads Sainz by two seconds
Hamilton in third however has not but stopped. Verstappen tenth after his pit cease and penalty.
01:51 PM GMTLap 31 of 58 – Verstappen is Verstappening
“Can we ask for 20 seconds? Silly idiots,” he says of the stewards.
Yellow flags as Valtteri Bottas limps across the monitor with a front-right puncture. He collided with Magnussen. Locking up on the hairpin, not aspiring to crash into the Haas however as soon as he put the brakes on there was no different final result.
Loads of particles on the market. Bottas retires from the race after that.
Security Automobile right here?
01:49 PM GMTLap 30 of 58 – Hamilton advised {that a} podium is feasible
That might be enjoyable. He’d should dislodge Russell and Leclerc from that combat and I’m not positive that is occurring. He’ll seemingly be on the medium tyres on decrease gasoline, although, so the tyre differential may assist him.
01:48 PM GMTLap 29 of 59 – High 10
NOR
SAI +2.0
VER +10.3
HAM +13.1
LEC +20.9
RUS +24.0
GAS +26.6
HUL +28.1
ALO +34.4
PIA +36.2
10-second cease/go penalty for Lawson for being launched in an unsafe situation. Verstappen is available in for his pit cease and 10-second time penalty.
01:47 PM GMTLap 28 of 58 – Norris leads Sainz by 2.1sec
Sainz has simply set the quickest lap of the race however Norris is trying sharp on his barely brisker tyres.
Hamilton in fourth now behind Verstappen by 2.8sec. They’re the one two males to not cease thus far.
01:46 PM GMTLap 27 of 58 – Colapinto retires the automobile
He’s advised by James Vowles that it was a PU difficulty. “It’s been a pleasure,” says Vowles as he apologises. A dissapointing finish to the season however loads of promise in there, too.
01:45 PM GMTLap 26 of 58 – In Norris comes…
It was a fast cease. Good work if all of the wheels are on…
Will that be sufficient for him to retain the lead? Sure, it’s. However the hole is all the way down to 1.5sec in very brief order. Not sufficient for Sainz to have DRS but. However he may have hotter tyres than the McLaren.
Leclerc advised to go onto Plan C. Russell comes out behind Russell.
01:43 PM GMTLap 25 of 58 – In comes Sainz
He switches to the laborious tyres. Will McLaren carry Norris in? I feel they are going to. They can’t danger shedding monitor place to a Ferrari. It must be a strong however not spectacular pit cease.
01:42 PM GMTLap 24 of 58 – Sainz cuts Norris’s lead
Not by a fantastic deal, only a tenth on the final lap. Leclerc will get Gasly for sixth however will the Frenchman return the favour down the next straight? No.
Dangerous information for Lawson. He says his wheels will not be correctly on. Properly, he isn’t precisely slowing down on the market. Will he come again in? Certainly. He does.
“Mate, the automobile dropped,” he says. I assume referring to the pit cease and why he went when the wheels weren’t on correctly.
01:39 PM GMTLap 23 of 58 – Talking of factors
Will Hamilton get any in the present day? He’s on a special tyre technique to everybody else and is presently sixth having not stopped but on his laborious tyres.
Leclerc comes up on the again of Lawson and goes up the within of flip 9. Gasly the following man forward.
01:37 PM GMTLap 22 of 58 – Norris leads by 4.2sec forward of Sainz
A two-horse race for the win presently, actually. Piastri is up into thirteenth although does should serve a 10-second time penalty. Unsure factors are inconceivable however they are going to be very troublesome from right here with out some luck for the Australian.
Norris now almost a pit-stop’s price of time forward of Russell. Will McLaren look ahead to a slot to place him out again into? Or simply comply with Sainz? Sainz takes a few tenths out of Norris’s lead.
01:36 PM GMTLap 21 of 58 – Leclerc pits on the finish of lap 20
He comes out simply behind Gasly and forward of Nico Hulkenberg in ninth. Not unhealthy. Undercut danger now for Russell.
01:34 PM GMTLap 20 of 58 – Leclerc not fairly managing to get inside DRS vary of Russell
Russell has most likely seen this coming and put his foot down a bit of. Verstappen is 4.6sec behind Leclerc, although with a 10-second penalty, however is lapping roughly as shortly as the 2 forward.
01:33 PM GMTLap 19 of 58 – High 10
NOR
SAI
RUS
LEC
VER
HAM
LAW
GAS
HUL
TSU
01:32 PM GMTLap 18 of 58 – Not even at a 3rd race distance but
Norris simply edging his lead additional. Because it stands McLaren are taking the constructors’ title and Alpine would safe sixth forward of Haas and RB.
01:31 PM GMTLap 17 of 58 – Stroll will get a black and white flag
For quite a few monitor limits infringements, I consider. Gasly will get Tsunoda for eighth on brisker tyres than the RB. Leclerc simply 1.1sec behind Russell within the battle for third.
01:29 PM GMTLap 16 of 58 – Norris is requested about his tyres
He says they’re OK however barely worse than they have been. He extends his hole to 4 seconds. Verstappen now 20.8sec behind Norris, 30.8sec in case you apply his penalty.
01:28 PM GMTLap 15 of 58 – Verstappen struggling along with his tyres
Says his entrance getting too scorching. Norris leads Sainz by 3.7sec with Russell a distant third and a few 10.5sec behind Sainz. Hamilton now as much as sixth as just a few pit stops of these forward of him have began. Albon faces no additional investigation for false begin however Zhou will get a penalty for a similar offence.
01:26 PM GMTLap 14 of 58 – Nonetheless Gasly resists Russell’s problem
Gasly has pushed beautifully within the ultimate third of the season. A podium is likely to be a bit an excessive amount of to ask for in the present day however a high six, a really priceless one for Alpine, is on the playing cards. He comes into the pits on the finish of the lap.
LAP 15/58
BOX BOX BOX 📦
Pierre makes his means in – popping out simply behind of Jack, who makes means, releasing him down into T-5.
Nice teamwork. Let’s hold going 💪💪
01:25 PM GMTLap 13 of 58 – Norris extends his lead
3.5sec now his benefit over Sainz.
01:24 PM GMTLap 12 of 58 – Verstappen vs Alonso arising
Leclerc battling Hulkenberg and is on his ultimate warning for monitor limits. The Ferrari driver is now up into fifth. Hamilton says he has “no tempo”.
Verstappen will get Alonso in the direction of the top of the lap and the Dutchman now up into seventh, although his 10-second penalty would drop him to eleventh presently.
Albon famous for a false begin. As is Zhou. Gradual cease for Magnussen.
01:21 PM GMTLap 11 of 58 – Norris now must carry this dwelling
McLaren presently scoring 25 factors, Ferrari 26. That isn’t sufficient for Ferrari to overhaul McLaren and win the title but when Norris have been to hit bother then that modifications. Leclerc positively on for a podium right here, even perhaps the almost certainly man to take that third spot.
01:19 PM GMTLap 10 of 58 – High 10 and gaps
NOR
SAI +3.2
GAS +7.8
RUS +8.8
HUL +10.0
LEC +11.3
ALO +11.9
VER +13.9
MAG +15.1
STR +15.2
01:18 PM GMTLap 9 of 58 – 10-second penalty for Piastri
Truthful sufficient. His race was all-but ruined anyway. It was for this incident beneath:
01:17 PM GMTLap 8 of 58 – Piastri/Colapinto incident beneath investigation
I feel Piastri will probably be getting a penalty for that.
Norris leads Sainz by 3.1sec with Gasly 3.5sec behind him. Russell inside DRS vary of him then it’s Nico Hulkenberg, Alonso, Leclerc, Magnussen, Verstappen and Stroll. Hamilton twelfth.
01:15 PM GMTLap 7 of 58 – Leclerc is flying
He will get Kevin Magnussen for seventh. Alonso is the following man up the highway.
01:13 PM GMTLap 6 of 58 – 10-second penalty for Verstappen
Wanting on the replay from Verstappen’s onboard I feel that was truthful. He says he was “all the best way up the within” however he was not. His entrance wheels have been a metre or two behind Piastri’s. Not Piastri’s fault in any respect, far too optimistic.
“Transfer of a world champion, that one,” Piastri says. Unsure if he signifies that he could make that transfer as a result of the title is already wrapped up or if he was being sarcastic.
01:12 PM GMTLap 5 of 58 – Piastri comes into the pits
No entrance wing change however he does have new tyres placed on. Norris is main by 2.5sec, a barely lowered lead after Sainz set the quickest lap of the race.
01:10 PM GMTLap 4 of 58 – Dangerous information for Piastri
He slammed into the again of Colapinto beneath the VSC, or simply because it had ended, and seems to have given Colapinto a puncture, the McLaren locking up closely within the course of.
01:09 PM GMTLap 3 of 58 – VSC ends
Gasly beneath big strain from Russell behind and the Mercedes driver picks up a slipstream after which will get DRS however Gasly retains the spot. He bought DRS himself. Norris leads by three seconds from Sainz.
01:07 PM GMTLap 2 of 58 – Piastri/Verstappen incident famous
Piastri did go away the door broad open and Verstappen tried to take the prospect. Unsure if Piastri knew he was there or not.
We’ve got a Digital Security Automobile now as a result of Perez has stopped by the facet of the monitor. It seemed prefer it got here as Verstappen put one up the within of Liam Lawson.
That is most likely, sadly, the best way that Sergio Perez’s Pink Bull and F1 profession ends…
Right here’s the highest 10:
NOR
SAI
GAS
RUS
HUL
ALO
MAG
LEC
STR
LAW
Verstappen eleventh, Hamilton twelfth. Piastri nineteenth and final on the highway.
01:06 PM GMTTHE 2024 ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX IS GO!
Norris leads the sector into the primary nook however Verstappen and Piastri collide at flip one! Not what McLaren wished. Piastri was on the skin and didn’t surrender the spot and Verstappen didn’t both!
IT’S LIGHTS OUT for the ultimate time this season 🚦
A dramatic first lap sees Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri contact within the first nook 😲
Whose fault? Unsure but.
Piastri has dropped all the way down to the again of the pack, Verstappen is down in eleventh. Perez has had a spin on the chicane in the midst of the lap. McLaren appear like having a harder afternoon than they’d hoped.
Leclerc as much as twelfth…
01:02 PM GMTThe formation lap is beneath means… however Magnussen investigated
That’s for doing a follow begin on the finish of the pit lane, contravening the race director’s directions. Might be a time penalty.
01:00 PM GMTStarting tyre varieties
Everybody bar Lewis Hamilton on the medium tyres. The Mercedes driver is the one one on laborious tyres.
12:58 PM GMTWe are almost able to get going…12:55 PM GMTCould this be Valtteri Bottas’s final race in F1?
The ten-time grand prix winner is with no seat for subsequent 12 months and, because it stands, there is only one to fill: RB. I feel Pink Bull will find yourself ditching Perez however I feel they are going to select Liam Lawson for that seat. Would Bottas be a better option?
Both means it could be good for him to attain some factors right here. He has not managed that in 2024 but.
12:47 PM GMTRussell vs Verstappen half 23 averted
“Pierre Gasly the final driver to the anthem ceremony. Simply bought there in time to separate George and Max.”
12:43 PM GMTAbu Dhabi GP beginning grid
1. NOR 2. PIA3. SAI 4. VER5. GAS 6. RUS7. HUL 8. ALO9. BOT 10. PER11. TSU 12. LAW13. STR 14. MAG15. ZHO 16. HAM17. DOO 18. ALB19. LEC 20. COL
12:40 PM GMTA ultimate farewell for Hamilton at Mercedes
About 20 minutes till lights out now.
12:36 PM GMTNews: Ben Sulayem’s proposed new position in FIA ethics complaints process criticised
“David Richards, the chairman of Motorsport UK, has expressed concern about proposed modifications to the FIA’s statutes, which he believes will make motorsport’s governing physique much less clear and accountable.
“The checklist of revisions to the FIA’s statutes will probably be voted on by FIA member golf equipment at subsequent week’s Annual Basic Assembly. The proposed modifications would make sure that any ethics complaints have been overseen by the FIA president and president of its senate, who’s one among his shut allies, fairly than the senate itself. And they’d take away the facility of the audit committee to analyze monetary points independently.”
12:30 PM GMTLatest constructor standings
Nearly as fascinating because the battle for the title is the combat between Haas, Alpine and RB for sixth. Alpine presently cleared the path with Haas simply 5 factors behind. In all probability an excessive amount of of a job for RB to get there in the present day given they path by 13 factors and Alpine begin fifth with Gasly and Haas seventh with Hulkenberg.
12:22 PM GMTHamilton takes a shot at Mercedes?
“Simply heading to the grid. The principle speaking level of the day thus far? Lewis Hamilton’s choice to show up in the present day dressed head to toe in purple. Was that in protest at Mercedes’ qualifying error final night time which noticed him exit in Q1? Who is aware of but it surely was fairly provocative from the soon-to-be Ferrari driver.
“In any other case, there’s a really end-of-term really feel to proceedings right here. With McLaren virtually dwelling and dry within the constructors’ there isn’t an enormous quantity driving on the race. Russell simply behind Verstappen is sort of enjoyable given their shenanigans this week.”
12:20 PM GMTExcited about F1 in 2025?
You have to be. The vehicles subsequent 12 months will very a lot be a carry-over from 2024 with no important modifications, which implies the aggressive order is unlikely to vary enormously. That is how shut it has been because the summer season break:
49 factors separate the highest six drivers within the final 9 rounds.
12:14 PM GMTSix world titles and 84 race wins — a lot for Hamilton’s ‘terrible mistake’ becoming a member of Mercedes
“Six drivers’ world championships, eight constructors’ titles, 84 wins, 78 pole positions, 153 podium finishes and 12 years later, it’s truthful to say the gamble paid off. Hamilton and Mercedes have been probably the most profitable driver-and-team partnership in F1 historical past.
“It’s simple to overlook now, with the good thing about hindsight, simply how surprising Hamilton’s transfer was on the time. It was seismic. Mercedes had gained only one race in 50 since their return as a full works workforce three years earlier, and early Twitter adopters weren’t the one ones sceptical about it.”
12:06 PM GMTCurrent driver standings
Was is there to play for?
Leclerc can overtake Norris for second however that may be a massive ask. Sainz can overtake Piastri for third however, once more, the identical applies. Sainz can’t end decrease than fifth. Russell is sort of actually safe in sixth until Hamilton wins and he doesn’t rating two factors. Perez is eighth. Gasly can dislodge Hulkenberg for tenth and has an honest likelihood of doing that as he begins fifth.
12:04 PM GMTAlways love these finish of season images
Q: Who’s there that wasn’t current firstly of the season?
A: Colapinto, Lawson, Doohan.
11:55 AM GMT14 weeks till the 2025 F1 season will get beneath means
That occurs in Melbourne, Australia on March 16. Earlier than then is the pre-season testing in Bahrain which runs from February 26-28, Wednesday to Friday inclusive. Right here is the complete calendar for 2025, 24 races and 6 sprints once more.
11:52 AM GMTHere is the outfit Hamilton arrived in for his ultimate race at Mercedes
Greater than a nod to subsequent 12 months?
11:45 AM GMTFinal qualifying head to heads, 2024 season
Qualifying is finished for the season, so right here is how every driver stacks up in opposition to their team-mate. Some good information in there. Piastri actually wants to enhance his one-lap tempo. He has not been that far behind Norris however ought to be beating him extra typically. One way or the other, I don’t assume Sergio Perez will get that luxurious.
11:37 AM GMTQualifying instances
Lando Norris (Gbr) McLaren 1min 22.595secs
Oscar Piastri (Aus) McLaren 1:22.804
Carlos Sainz Jr. (Spa) Ferrari 1:22.824
Nico Hulkenberg (Ger) Haas F1 1:22.886
Max Verstappen (Ned) Pink Bull 1:22.945
Pierre Gasly (Fra) Alpine 1:22.984
George Russell (Gbr) Mercedes GP 1:23.132
Fernando Alonso (Spa) Aston Martin 1:23.196
Valtteri Bottas (Fin) Kick Sauber 1:23.204
Sergio Perez (Mex) Pink Bull 1:23.264
Yuki Tsunoda (Jpn) RB 1:23.419
Liam Lawson (Nzl) RB 1:23.472
Lance Stroll (Can) Aston Martin 1:23.784
Charles Leclerc (Mon) Ferrari 1:23.833
Kevin Magnussen (Den) Haas F1 1:23.877
Alexander Albon (Tha) Williams 1:23.821
Guanyu Zhou (Chn) Kick Sauber 1:23.880
Lewis Hamilton (Gbr) Mercedes GP 1:23.887
Franco Colapinto (Arg) Williams 1:23.912
Jack Doohan (Aus) Alpine 1:24.105
11:10 AM GMTGood afternoon F1 followers
Welcome to our dwell protection for the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the ultimate race of the present season. It has been fairly a season, has it not? Ultimately Max Verstappen emerged victorious after constructing a big benefit with seven wins within the first 10 races, however since then the spoils have been shared pretty evenly round, with the season changing into unpredictable, shut, frequently thrilling and sometimes controversial.
Since Verstappen gained the Spanish Grand Prix in June we now have had seven winners from 4 totally different groups. Not one among them has gained greater than two races in that interval, although, a fairly exceptional run. What’s left to play for in the present day? Properly, a race victory in fact but additionally the constructors’ championship. McLaren are aiming to win their first workforce title since 1998 (they scored probably the most factors in 2007 however have been disqualified from the championship).
They’ve gone a protracted method to securing that with a front-row lockout yesterday, Lando Norris taking his eighth pole place of the season. They lead Ferrari by 21 factors heading into this spherical so it was already a troublesome ask. Issues grew to become even harder when Charles Leclerc was given a 10-place grid penalty and worse nonetheless when he went out in Q2. He’ll begin on the very again.
In fact, if the 2 McLarens come collectively then Ferrari might need half an opportunity. However outdoors of that or one thing very unusual taking place, that is McLaren’s to lose. It could cap off a exceptional turnaround from the doldrums of the Honda years when the workforce completed ninth twice in three years, as just lately as 2017. Ferrari by no means reached these depths however Frederic Vasseur and his women and men ought to be recommended for a robust season. They are going to actually go into 2025 as contenders in each championships.
One man that ought to please is Lewis Hamilton, whose success-littered Mercedes profession – six titles and 84 race wins – involves an finish in the present day. It doesn’t appear like being a advantageous and becoming ending, with the Briton beginning properly down the grid after being eradicated in Q1. He heads to Ferrari subsequent season and has turned up in an outfit which actually appears like a nod to that.
Anyway, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix begins at 1pm GMT and we will probably be right here for the entire build-up, dwell updates and response from it.
Author : Motorsports
Publish date : 2024-12-08 16:15:59
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