With the 2024 Abu Dhabi GP qualifying completed, the starting grid has been heavily reshuffled due to numerous penalties. On the track where the championship will be decided, the grid is significantly impacted by these penalties.
Ferrari faced difficulties early on, as in FP1 they were forced to change the battery pack on Charles Leclerc’s car, resulting in a 10-place grid penalty. The Monegasque driver may opt to replace the entire Power Unit and start from the pit lane. This is a major setback for Ferrari, though they can still hope for a recovery.
Both Williams cars have also been penalized for gearbox replacements. Alexander Albon and Franco Colapinto will each receive a 5-place grid penalty and will start slightly further back as a result.
Sunday’s race could be full of surprises, with McLaren ahead of Ferrari by 21 points. Leclerc faces a tough challenge to climb back up the order. The new battery may help, but nothing is predictable in this sport.
Here’s the starting grid for the 2024 Abu Dhabi GP, the final race of an exciting season that still promises much for fans:
Starting Grid – Abu Dhabi GP 2024 – F1
1. Lando Norris – MCLAREN
2. Oscar Piastri – MCLAREN
3. Carlos Sainz – FERRARI
4. Max Verstappen – RED BULL
5. Pierre Gasly – ALPINE
6. George Russell – MERCEDES
7. Nico Hulkenberg – HAAS ***
8. Fernando Alonso – ASTON MARTIN
9. Valtteri Bottas – KICK SAUBER
10. Sergio Perez – RED BULL
11. Yuki Tsunoda – VCARB
12. Liam Lawson – VCARB
13. Lance Stroll – ASTON MARTIN
14. Kevin Magnussen – HAAS
15. Guanyu Zhou – STAKE
16. Lewis Hamilton – MERCEDES
17. Jack Doohan – ALPINE
18. Alexander Albon – WILLIAMS *
19. Charles Leclerc – FERRARI **
20. Franco Colapinto – WILLIAMS *
* 5-place grid penalty for gearbox replacement
** 10-place grid penalty for battery pack replacement
*** 3-place grid penalty for failing to follow race direction instructions
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