Formula 1 News: Norris wins pole for 2024 Abu Dhabi GP

McLaren has locked out the front row for the 2024 Abu Dhabi GP, with Lando Norris taking pole with a lap of time of 1m22.595s around the Yas Marina Circuit.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

The superior McLaren’s were heavily favored to win the pole and they did just that, with Norris taking his 8th pole of the season. McLaren is now a shoo-in to win the Constructors’ Championship, given Charles Leclerc is starting at the back.

“A perfect day for us, probably a little tougher than we were hoping for but my lap in the end was strong,” said Norris. “Just how we wanted to end today. We have to beat Ferrari, that’s the aim but we want to do it in style. We want to win, I want to win. I’ll give it everything I’ve got.”

Oscar Piastri will start 2nd, 0.209s behind his McLaren teammate Norris. “It was a bit tricker today compared to last night, we took a while to find our feet but got there in the end. Last lap, yeah I wish I could have had that again but P2 is a good spot and 1-2 is the dream for the team.”

Carlos Sainz Jr. will start 3rd for Ferrari while his teammate, Charles Leclerc will start dead last after getting knocked out in Q2 coupled with his power unit grid penalty.

“I think we made good progress across the weekend, but McLaren have been a step ahead,” said Sainz. “Still a race to do tomorrow, but we will do everything to try and win the race. I’m going to give it anything, I was pushing in qualifying like never before, the same tomorrow as it might be my last chance of a win. Nothing to lose.”

Nico Hülkenberg was a sensational 4th for the Haas team, just 0.291s behind Norris. Hulkenberg is being summoned by stewards for overtaking at pit exit road, which is against the race director’s notes.

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen rounded out the top-5, 0.350s behind Norris, despite Verstappen almost crashing out of the final corner, getting extremely sideways.  If not for that, he might have snagged pole.

Rounding out the top-10 were Pierre Gasly, George Russell, Fernando Alonso, Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez.

McLaren certainly has the advantage in the constructors’, but Sainz in his own words, has “nothing to lose.”

Then there’s Hulkenberg and Gasly, both starting in the midst of the top 10 as they chase points to secure P6 in the Constructors’ Championship for their respective teams.

Plus Hamilton and Leclerc trying to recover from the back, and Bottas aiming for points in what may be his last ever F1 race.

2024 Abu Dhabi GP Qualifying Results