2024 F1 Abu Dhabi GP FP1 and FP2: Full Results and Key Takeaways
Day one of the 2024 F1 Abu Dhabi GP ended with the McLaren duo on top of the standings. Lando Norris was on pole position with Oscar Piastri in P2, and the duo was followed by a surprise in Nico Hulkenberg finishing the session in P3.
Carlos Sainz was in P4 while Lewis Hamilton was in P5. Max Verstappen in his Red Bull was languishing in P17 as the car's balance left the driver almost a second down on what Lando Norris had achieved in his McLaren.
The track doesn't often lay itself to too much action, which was evident on Friday as well. Most teams went on with their business and did what they had with their respective programs. That being said, there's plenty at stake this weekend with one of the titles yet to be decided.
We've already had 120 minutes of running this weekend. So, what have we been able to learn? Let's take a look.
2024 F1 Abu Dhabi GP FP1 and FP2: What did we learn?
#1 McLaren is a step ahead of Ferrari
The most consequential battle this weekend is for the Constructors Championship, and it does appear that McLaren is in pole position to clinch it. To make things worse, Charles Leclerc finds himself in a position where he has to overcome a 10-place grid penalty.
That's not all: McLaren appears to be a car that is well suited to the track in general, with a decent enough ability to fire up the tires in lower track temperatures.
After Friday, Ferrari is already handicapped. The title might thus be going in the direction of McLaren at the end of the F1 Abu Dhabi GP race weekend.
#2 Red Bull is out of that narrow working window at the F1 Abu Dhabi GP
Looking at Max Verstappen's push lap on soft tires, it was evident that the driver was not comfortable with the car. Red Bull is not in its working window this weekend, and it certainly seems to be something that's plagued the team's prospects for the F1 Abu Dhabi GP.
#3 Sauber's upgrades have worked
Looking at Valtteri Bottas' timesheet results in the last few races will put a smile across Nico Hulkenberg's face. The team and its car are finally starting to show signs of life. This progress is too late for 2024, but for a team that would soon become 'Audi,' this positive news for the near future.
#4 Lewis Hamilton looks comfortable in his last race for Mercedes
Lewis Hamilton's lap times were competitive through the F1 Abu Dhabi GP FP. The driver looked as comfortable as he could in the Mercedes compared to his teammate, and the timing sheet showed that.
It is not a start to the weekend where Hamilton is chasing his tail, and maybe the driver is building up momentum to end his Mercedes stint on a high.
#5 Alpine vs. Haas is going to be interesting
Nico Hulkenberg's time in FP2 should be an interesting one, and it could have made Alpine sit up and take notice. With that being said, the day witnessed more of the same from both teams. Haas tends to run higher engine modes while the French team tends to have a somewhat different plan compared to others. It's going to be close between the two teams, that's for sure, but the true picture will only come out on Saturday when qualifying is done.