Norris Takes Pole, McLaren Eyes Constructors' Championship
Summary
Lando Norris claimed pole position for the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with a time of 1:22.595, just ahead of his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri, who qualified second. Carlos Sainz from Ferrari took third, while Nico Hulkenberg and Max Verstappen rounded out the top five. The session marked a significant moment for McLaren, who is poised to contend for the Constructors' Championship, leading Ferrari by 21 points as they head into the race.
Lewis Hamilton experienced a challenging final qualifying session with Mercedes, exiting in Q1 due to an incident with a track bollard, which led to a disappointing 18th-place qualifier. Charles Leclerc's day was equally frustrating; after having his Q2 lap time deleted for exceeding track limits, he will start from the back of the grid owing to a new engine penalty. Ultimately, the results set the stage for a tense race, where McLaren's top positions could secure them the championship title.