2024 F1 Abu Dhabi GP: Preview and Predictions
The 2024 F1 Abu Dhabi GP is the last race of the season, and for the first time since 2021, we still have a championship up for grabs. The season has turned out far better than any of the expectations. After the pre-season test, it did appear that Max Verstappen and Red Bull were going to repeat their dominance of the 2023 season.
Well, that's not what happened. While Max Verstappen has gone on to clinch his 4th title, the season has seen multiple race winners. The action has been impressive, and so has the unpredictability. As we head to the last race of the season in Abu Dhabi, what are the expectations? Let's take a look at our preview for the last race weekend of the year.
2024 F1 Abu Dhabi GP: Preview
Key Storylines
#1 Ferrari vs McLaren title fight
Ferrari and McLaren are on their way to break a 14-year 'Red Bull-Mercedes' hegemony in F1. At the Abu Dhabi GP, either of the two illustrious teams is going to win the Constructors' championship, and it would be the first time since Brawn GP won the title in 2009 that any team other than Red Bull or Mercedes is going to win the Constructors' championship.
For a long time, Ferrari and McLaren were the benchmarks in F1 and fought for titles consistently. Since 2010, however, Red Bull went on a 4-year title run, which was followed by Mercedes having an 8-year run at the top, followed by the Austrian team winning the next two.
For a sport that keeps on evolving, it would be interesting to see which of the two F1 giants makes a comeback.
#2 Lewis Hamilton's last race with Mercedes
This one would have quite a few teary-eyed people watching what's coming to an end. Lewis Hamilton's partnership with Mercedes has led to the kind of success that has been unprecedented in the sport.
The 2024 season has not been the best for the driver in terms of his performance, and some of the comments from both sides have not made it easy either.
It is, however, the most successful driver-team combination in the sport, and there would be a few wet eyes at the end of the F1 Abu Dhabi GP.
#3 Max Verstappen vs George Russell
Max Verstappen was not too happy about George Russell's comments and his demeanor in the stewards room, and he made that clear to anyone who listened to him after the race in Qatar.
Russell, however, didn't have the time to respond to Verstappen this past weekend but would face the media at the F1 Abu Dhabi GP. Never the one to back out from a fight, it would be interesting to see what the driver has to say about Verstappen's comments.
Form Guide
On Form
This one should go to Max Verstappen because of the level at which he's performed recently. The Red Bull driver has nailed everything most of the time whenever he's had the chance, but most of all, he's won two of the last three races. Heading into the last race of the season, it would be interesting to see what he can accomplish.
Out of form
Lewis Hamilton's Qatar GP had him jump the start, speed in the pit lane, almost brake-check Lando Norris, and call to retire the car mid-race. The F1 Abu Dhabi GP is the last time he would be in Mercedes overalls, and he would be hoping to make the most of it.
2024 F1 Abu Dhabi GP: Predictions
Who will win the race?
The F1 Abu Dhabi GP track layout should be something that works out well for Ferrari. The higher temperatures, slow-speed sections, and long straights do work out well for the car.
Last season, Charles Leclerc came home in P2 in a bid to help Ferrari secure P2 in the championship. This time around we're backing him to win the F1 Abu Dhabi GP as he tries to help secure the title.
Surprise of the weekend (Team)
Keep an eye out for Jack Doohan! The Australian has not gotten much attention from anyone as he gets closer to making his F1 debut. There aren't many who give him a chance either and feel that he might be even in trouble of losing his seat to Franco Colapinto in the near future.
With that being said, Doohan was more than decent in his F2 campaign. He has acclimatized well at Alpine. While it would be tough to beat Pierre Gasly, expect Doohan to be right alongside him in terms of performance.
Surprise of the weekend (Driver)
Sauber truly turned things around at Qatar, and the car scored points with Zhou Guanyu. This is going to be the last race for the team with its current driver lineup, but it does appear that there has been renewed synergy in the way the car is working.
We're backing the team to have a better overall performance at the F1 Abu Dhabi GP buoyed by the result in Qatar.
Disappointment of the weekend (Team)
In all likelihood, this might be the last race at Red Bull for Sergio Perez. The Mexican has not had a good run for a while now, and there have been far too many races where the performance has just not been there.
This was a long time coming in the eyes of many, and unfortunately, a lack of synergy means that the driver might not have the best result on his farewell.
Disappointment of the weekend (Driver)
Alpine is going to struggle in general at the F1 Abu Dhabi GP. The car is not as strong as it should be on slow-speed sections as well as the long straights. That's where it's going to leak time to its competitors.
Whether that struggle is enough for Haas to clinch P6 is something we'll have to wait and see.