McLaren have a front-row lockout for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, with Lando Norris on pole position ahead of Oscar Piastri as they bid to secure the 2024 constructors’ title.
The Woking squad are in the perfect position to seal their first teams’ title since 1998 at the Yas Marina Circuit. McLaren lead rivals Ferrari by 21 points ahead of the season-ending Abu Dhabi GP, where Norris will start from pole after blitzing the field with his 1:22.595 lap in Q3.
Piastri will join his teammate on the front row after the Australian registered a 1:22.804 to pip the 1:22.824 of Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz for P2. McLaren also have two cars at the front of the field compared to Ferrari with one as Charles Leclerc will start from the back of the grid.
The Monegasque would only record the 14th fastest time in qualifying for the Abu Dhabi GP after losing his quickest Q2 lap over exceeding track limits. Leclerc will also serve a 10-place grid penalty after Ferrari installed a new battery, which moved him beyond the allowed two.
McLaren are ‘vulnerable’ despite Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri’s front-row lockout at the Abu Dhabi GP
Yet Martin Brundle is convinced that McLaren are still ‘vulnerable’ at the Yas Marina Circuit, despite Norris and Piastri securing a front-row lockout for the Abu Dhabi GP. The renowned pundit believes the papaya cars may face difficulties in the race with their downforce levels.
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McLaren opted to fit higher wing levels on Norris and Piastri’s cars than their rival teams did in qualifying. It meant their drivers had more downforce for Yas Marina’s twisty, third sector but also more drag along the two, crucial lengthy straights which make up the middle sector.
Brundle said on Sky Sports F1 (07/12, 15:07): “McLaren will be a little bit vulnerable on the straights but their tyres will stay with them longer through the Grand Prix, certainly through each lap. So, they’re sitting pretty.
“They’ve looked strong all through the event and they’ve got a Ferrari down towards the back, as well.”
McLaren’s downforce gamble should pay off with Ferrari likely not fast enough
Despite Brundle’s concerns, McLaren will still be optimistic going into the Abu Dhabi GP that Norris or Piastri can convert their front-row start into the race win and seal the constructors’ championship crown. Leclerc’s qualifying woes at Yas Marina only boost their chances, too.
Despite McLaren boasting higher wing levels in qualifying than some rival teams, Norris was still the fourth-fastest driver in the middle sector with a split time of 35.776 seconds. Piastri (35.853s) was also the sixth-fastest in sector two as Nico Hulkenberg (35.718s) led the way.
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Sainz was the fastest Ferrari driver and the third-fastest overall in sector two at 35.769s, just ahead of Norris. But the Spaniard may not be able to exploit that advantage, even with DRS, down the straights if Norris and Piastri utilise their advantage during sectors one and three.
Piastri and Norris led the way in sector one at 16.943s and 16.958s over Leclerc and Sainz at 16.974s and 16.980s. But the McLaren men monstered the final sector as Norris beat Piastri with times of 29.861s and 29.924s to Pierre Gasly (30.032s) and George Russell (30.039s).
Leclerc (30.042s) and Sainz (30.057s) were only the fifth and sixth-fastest drivers in the final sector. So, coupled with the latter’s deficit to Norris and Piastri in sector one, Sainz may slip out of range before being able to use DRS to try and mount a move on the McLaren drivers.
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