Abu Dhabi’s Friday session heavily tipped the Constructors’ Championship toward Woking. Charles Leclerc’s ten-place grid penalty was just the first blow for Ferrari, compounded by poor race pace later in the evening. In stark contrast, McLaren shone, bolstered by the reliability of their Mercedes power unit and a car immediately at home on the Yas Marina Circuit. The title seems within reach.
The nightmare for Ferrari began in the opening minutes of practice. A battery failure forced the team to fit Leclerc’s car with its third Energy Store of the season, triggering an automatic grid penalty. This highlights Ferrari’s persistent struggles with component reliability, an issue that has forced nearly all Ferrari-powered teams to exceed the two-unit limit this year. In contrast, the robustness of Mercedes’ hybrid system stands out, with drivers like Russell, Hamilton, and Alonso using their first batteries for an impressive 20 races before replacements were needed in Brazil.
Ferrari’s concerns extend beyond reliability to performance. Both SF-24s struggled in qualifying simulations, hindered by tire preparation issues during warm-up laps, exacerbated by traffic. “The preparation is terrible; we need to start earlier,” Charles Leclerc lamented over the radio. Unfortunately, things didn’t improve in the race simulations, where Ferrari showed the weakest pace among the top teams, closely matching Verstappen’s lap times. This marks Ferrari’s first significant misstep with car setup since July, a stark contrast to Leclerc’s recent praise for the team’s weekend execution. Yet, their self-confidence remains a slender lifeline heading into qualifying.
McLaren, meanwhile, had an ideal start. Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris dominated in qualifying simulations, outpacing rivals by half a second, including a surprisingly strong Haas. McLaren seems to be replicating their Qatar strategy, opting for higher aerodynamic downforce. This approach slows the MCL38s on straights but helps them activate tires quickly in the first sector, maintaining grip through Yas Marina’s technical final section. This advantage carried into race simulations, where McLaren posted the day’s best pace. Piastri’s lap times were particularly impressive, prompting a dejected Leclerc to admit, “They’re really fast.”
Mercedes emerged as McLaren’s closest challenger. The W15 thrives on Abu Dhabi’s smooth tarmac, allowing for a low, stiff setup that suits the team. Despite evening temperatures lingering around 30°C—less favorable than the cool conditions Mercedes often exploits—the team showed strong race pace. Hamilton, in particular, appears poised to bid farewell to the season with a solid performance.
Verstappen, however, endured a rough session, finishing 17th after skipping FP1 to allow Isack Hadjar a turn. “The understeer is embarrassing,” the Dutchman complained over the radio, pinpointing front axle issues. This mirrors Verstappen’s season-long frustrations with the RB20’s sluggish corner rotation, which prevents him from aggressively attacking apexes. Red Bull hopes to replicate the setup turnaround they achieved in Qatar, but Friday underscored the RB20’s finicky nature, often unpredictable in simulator settings versus on-track performance.
Haas had reason to celebrate, placing both cars in the top ten, with Nico Hulkenberg impressively third. As they fight Alpine for sixth in the Constructors’ Championship, Haas showed promising early form. While Alpine struggled, there’s time for adjustments, setting the stage for a long night of work across the grid.
Looking Ahead to 2025
Abu Dhabi’s Friday offered insights into the future, particularly for Ferrari. The team opted not to use their new floor, introduced in Las Vegas, during qualifying or the race, limiting its testing to Arthur Leclerc’s car in FP1. Designed to improve stability in long corners—of which Yas Marina has few—the new floor highlights Ferrari’s ongoing shift in concept initiated in 2024. Addressing this long-standing weakness is crucial for future success. Winning the Constructors’ Championship now requires a monumental effort, but Ferrari is laying the groundwork to secure a second chance next season.
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