The final race of the exciting 2024 Formula 1 season is upon us, and while the Driver’s Championship might be sealed, the battle for P2 on the standings as well as the Constructor’s Championship is still wide open. How did the teams find their first day in Abu Dhabi? Keep reading to find out!
Free Practice 1
Plenty of rookies found themselves on their maiden F1 experience in FP1, with six teams opting to field young drivers for the final practice session of the year. Ryo Hirakawa, Arthur Leclerc, Isack Hadjar, Felipe Drugovich, Ayumu Iwasa, and Luke Browning all got their chance to shine, respectively representing McLaren, Ferrari, Red Bull, Aston Martin, RB, and Williams.
While the rookies were eager to make their mark, it was Charles Leclerc who stole the show. The Ferrari driver topped the timesheets with a 1:24.321, edging out Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton. However, Leclerc faces a grid penalty for Sunday’s race due to taking on a new Energy Store after facing issues early on.
Despite the penalty, Leclerc’s performance was impressive, especially considering the late start he had due to a battery problem. His brother, Arthur, also made history by becoming the first pair of brothers to race as teammates in F1.
The session wasn’t without its drama. Isack Hadjar spun his Red Bull early on due to wheel clearance issues, and there was an investigation into a potential impeding incident between Hamilton and Norris. Pierre Gasly continued his impressive recent form with Alpine, finishing fifth, while Nico Hulkenberg and Franco Colapinto impressed for Haas and Williams, respectively.
- Charles Leclerc Ferrari 1:24.321
- Lando Norris McLaren 1:24.542
- Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1:24.806
Free Practice 2
McLaren was on top when the chequered flag dropped marking the end of FP2, with Lando Norris leading the way from his teammate Oscar Piastri and Nico Hulkenberg in a session dominated by the British team. The session was marked by a fierce battle between McLaren and Ferrari, two teams that have consistently challenged each other throughout the season. Norris set the early pace, but Sainz and Leclerc quickly responded, pushing the limits of their Ferrari cars. However, McLaren ultimately prevailed, with Norris securing the top spot ahead of Piastri. Hulkenberg, driving for Haas, impressed with a strong performance, securing third place.
One notable storyline was the struggles faced by Red Bull. Verstappen, the reigning world champion, reported issues with his car’s front axle, hindering his performance and relegating him to 17th place. His teammate, Sergio Perez, also had a disappointing session, finishing in 14th.
In contrast, Mercedes showed promising signs, with Hamilton finishing fifth. Bottas, driving for Alfa Romeo, had a strong showing, securing seventh place. Williams, on the other hand, faced setbacks, with Albon and Colapinto incurring grid penalties due to gearbox changes.
- Lando Norris McLaren 1:23.517
- Oscar Piastrii McLaren 1:23.751
- Nico Hulkenberg Haas 1:23.979
Something tells us that the story is far from unraveling at Yas Marina, so join Supercars.com.GH tomorrow for our coverage of Day 2 of the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix!