Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Qualifying: Norris on pole for McLaren double, Hamilton eliminated in Q1

This last qualifying session of the season was played out in the very final moments. McLaren achieved a nice double: Lando Norris will start on pole on Sunday ahead of his teammate Oscar Piastri. Carlos Sainz completes the top 3 of the qualifying session.

Nico Hülkenberg’s big move, Gasly in 6th place

Since the start of the weekend and the practice sessions, the 2 McLarens will start on the front row on Sunday. But this qualifying session unfolded in the final moments: Nico Hülkenberg set the best time 30 seconds before the end of the session. The Haas cars are fast on the Yas Marina circuit, and in the end, only the McLarens and Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari did better than the German driver. The Haas driver finishes less than 3 tenths behind Lando Norris’s lap. Max Verstappen sets the 5th fastest time, experiencing a close call at the final turn. What a save by the four-time world champion!

How did Max save this?! 😵#F1 #AbuDhabiGP pic.twitter.com/mPelVM5iRe

— Formula 1 (@F1) December 7, 2024

Another good qualification for Pierre Gasly, 6th, but in the battle with Haas in the constructors’ championship, he no longer has the advantage. Kevin Magnussen finished in 15th position in Q2. Jack Doohan, for his first F1 race, ended his qualifying in Q1 with the slowest lap. The task seems complex for Alpine in the constructors’ championship.

Hamilton does not make it through Q1 for his last race with Mercedes

The British driver did not secure his place with his first attempt: he is forced to go out again to try to make it to Q2. He sets off for one last lap but it doesn’t work! He has a bollard stuck under his floor. Kevin Magnussen, while trying to let the British driver pass, hits the bollard which then rolls under the Mercedes. Lewis Hamilton will start from the back of the grid for his last Grand Prix at the wheel of his Silver Arrow: It’s clearly not a great qualifying session but we’ve had so many great ones. Resigned in the mixed zone, he will try to do his best tomorrow, for his farewell to the team.

More on that bollard under Lewis’ car 👀

Magnussen had a moment and dislodged a bollard into the path of an oncoming Hamilton in the final sector #F1 #AbuDhabiGP pic.twitter.com/o0Sdgm4IQ8

— Formula 1 (@F1) December 7, 2024

Charles Leclerc will start last on Sunday.

In the red zone at the end of Q2, the Monegasque driver sets the fastest lap at the checkered flag. A short-lived joy as his time is cancelled for exceeding track limits at turn 1. He finishes qualifying in 14th position, but with his 10-place grid penalty for changing his battery, he will start last in the race on Sunday. The constructor’s title is slipping away from Ferrari.

Qualifying ranking Abu Dhabi Grand Prix