Just one qualifying session remains in the 2024 Formula 1 season.
But everything is on the line today at Yas Marina.
The season concludes with this weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, but the F1 Constructors’ Championship hangs in the balance. McLaren enters the weekend with a 21-point advantage over Ferrari in the standings, and one could make the case that they are on favorable footing heading into Saturday. Not only did both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri impress during Friday’s dual practice sessions — Norris was second-fastest in FP1, and topped the timing sheets in FP2 with Piastri right behind him — but Charles Leclerc is taking a ten-place grid penalty for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after Ferrari installed a new Energy Store (ES) on his SF-24, exceeding the two allowed for in the Sporting Regulations without penalty.
Still, anything can happen when the lap times count for real, and this season, anything has happened. As such, we’ll be following along with all the action from Abu Dhabi live. So check back early and often as the final qualifying session of the 2024 F1 season unfolds starting at 9:00 a.m. Eastern.
All updates are in Eastern time.
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Q1
9:20: “I messed up big time guys,” is the report from Lewis Hamilton, who comes across the line 18th in his final qualifying appearance for Mercedes.
Albon, Zhou Guanyu, Colapinto, and Doohan are the five drivers eliminated.
9:19: Scary moment as Liam Lawson comes roaring around the final turn of a push lap, coming up on George Russell who is just starting his push lap.
After benefiting from an impeding penalty last week, Russell might get one of his own this week.
9:18: Valtteri Bottas jumps to the top of the timing sheets. The track is coming alive as more and more rubber gets laid down by the 20 drivers.
9:15: Pérez’s lap time has been reinstated, and the Red Bull driver slots into third.
9:13: Just under five minutes remain in Q1 and the five drivers in the drop zone are: Jack Doohan, Liam Lawson, Alexander Albon, Pêrez, and Colapinto.
Both Pérez and Colapinto have yet to set a time due to lap times being deleted for exceeding track limits.
9:10: The McLarens finish their initial push laps and Piastri slots in fourth, and Norris fifth. Not only are they behind Carlos Sainz Jr. and Max Verstappen, who are currently one-two, but also Nico Hülkenberg, as Haas has looked strong all weekend.
9:08: Pérez’s time was good enough to top the timing sheets, but his lap time was deleted for exceeding track limits at Turn 1. The same happens to Williams driver Franco Colapinto.
Since track limits might be an issue today, here is a friendly reminder:
9:06: Stroll sets the first time of Q1, but both McLarens are out on the trich right now, as well as Sergio Pérez, who remains under pressure to hold onto his F1 seat next season.
9:02: Lance Stroll is the first driver to take to the track,
9:01: There is a green light at Abu Dhabi but none of the cars have taken to the track just yet.
9:00: Ok friends, let’s get this rolling.
