The 2024 F1 season concludes this weekend with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit.
McLaren lead Ferrari by 21 points in the battle to be constructors’ champions after Lando Norris’ shock penalty in Qatar meant the Scuderia narrowed the deficit in the standings. McLaren are looking to win the constructors’ title for the first time since 1998, while Ferrari have not won the teams’ crown since 2008.
This weekend will also be Lewis Hamilton’s 246th and final grand prix for Mercedes. The seven-time world champion, who won six of his titles with the Silver Arrows, joins Ferrari in 2025 and will be looking to end his time with Mercedes on a high after a torrid weekend in Qatar.
Max Verstappen won last year’s race in Abu Dhabi and has won the last four grands prix at the Yas Marina Circuit, including the controversial finale to the 2021 season.
Follow live updates from the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix:
F1 ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX - LATEST UPDATES
- The 2024 F1 season concludes this weekend in Abu Dhabi
- Qualifying on Saturday is at 2pm (GMT)
- COMMENT: Lewis Hamilton’s farewell at Mercedes ends the greatest era in F1 history – but not in the way you think
- Oscar Piastri was quickest in the final practice session on Saturday; Norris 2nd; Hamilton 3rd
- READ: Inside George Russell’s extraordinary 14-minute outburst which reignites F1’s biggest feud
Here are the start times for qualifying and the race:
11:40
Kieran Jackson
All times GMT
Saturday 7 December
- Qualifying: 2pm
Sunday 8 December
- Race: 1pm
Max Verstappen and Kelly Piquet expecting first child
12:08
Kieran Jackson
Verstappen, 27, and girlfriend Piquet, 35, have announced that they are expecting their first child together!
They captioned a joint post on Instagram: “Mini Verstappen-Piquet on the way.
“We couldn’t be happier with our little miracle.”
F1 Abu Dhabi GP LIVE: FP3 RESULTS IN FULL...
11:50
Kieran Jackson
FP3 CLASSIFICATION
— Formula 1 (@F1) December 7, 2024
It's advantage McLaren heading into quali #F1 #AbuDhabiGP pic.twitter.com/kNTJJvkTuF
F1 Abu Dhabi GP LIVE: Oscar Piastri quickest in FP3!
11:32
Kieran Jackson
The advantage is very much with McLaren as they target a first constructors’ title since 1998!
They’ve been the quickest in practice again, with Oscar Piastri’s lap of 1:23:433 sealing P1 - and Lando Norris is two-tenths off in P2.
3-10: Hamilton, Verstappen, Sainz, Russell, Hulkenberg, Magnussen, Leclerc, Perez
The rest of the pack will have some work to do in qualifying later...
F1 Abu Dhabi GP LIVE: Lando Norris goes off-track
11:28
Kieran Jackson
A really scratchy final push lap from Lando Norris.
He slides into turn one before going off-track in sector three underneath the W hotel!
He won’t improve his time, which currently puts him P2...
Final laps coming in now!
F1 Abu Dhabi GP LIVE: McLaren one-two!
11:24
Kieran Jackson
Low-fuel qualifying simulation laps are coming in now and the times are tumbling!
Oscar Piastri is on top spot with a 1:23:433 - 0.193 secs clear of teammate Lando Norris.
Meanwhile, Verstappen, who is now third-fastest: “The brakes are not working...”
3-10: Verstappen, Sainz, Russell, Hulkenberg, Magnussenm Hamilton, Leclerc, Tsunoda
Five minutes left!
F1 Abu Dhabi GP LIVE: Alex Albon goes P1!
11:16
Kieran Jackson
The Williams of Albon is the surprise name to usurp Magnussen, going 0.092 secs quicker than the Haas driver.
Will we see any quicker laps in the closing 15 minutes? We should do...
Top-10: Albon, Magnussen, Sainz, Verstappen, Norris, Hamilton, Perez, Hulkenberg, Piastri, Leclerc
F1 Abu Dhabi GP LIVE: Carlos Sainz goes second-fastest
11:10
Kieran Jackson
Still no-one has usurped Kevin Magnussen in P1 yet!
Sainz goes second-quickest, 0.161 secs off the Dane, with Max Verstappen a tenth further down in third.
4-10: Norris, Hamilton, Perez, Hulkenberg, Piastri, Leclerc, Gasly
Should be said that these hot conditions are obviously nothing like what we’ll get in qualifying later, but still...
20 mins left in FP3!
F1 Abu Dhabi GP LIVE: Lewis Hamilton in fourth
11:01
Kieran Jackson
Hamilton goes fourth fastest, four-tenths off Magnussen, but Russell is down in 20th - 1.5 seconds off the pace!
Russell: “Not sure what’s going on, the car feels OK - just very slow.”
How odd. Half-an-hour gone in FP3...
F1 Abu Dhabi GP LIVE: FP3 updates
10:57
Kieran Jackson
Some issues for Lewis Hamilton currently... A rather unusual problem you could say.
“You need to remove this sticker on my inside my cockpit, please,” says Hamilton.
One sticker reads “Every Dream Needs A Team,” but we cannot see exactly which sticker he is concerned about.
F1 Abu Dhabi GP LIVE: Kevin Magnussen quickest early on
10:52
Kieran Jackson
The Haas driver - on his final F1 weekend - goes fastest by three-tenths early on to Lando Norris.
And his Haas teammate Nico Hulkenberg is in third!
The Red Bulls, Ferraris and Mercedes’ yet to set a time though...
20 minutes gone. Most cars now out on track...
F1 Abu Dhabi GP LIVE: Fernando Alonso optimistic on the radio:
10:37
Kieran Jackson
Fernando Alonso the first car out on track - and he says: “I think it’s going to be a good day, I’ve got a good feeling.”
Lance Stroll and Pierre Gasly also join the Spaniard out on track...
F1 Abu Dhabi GP LIVE: FP3 underway!
10:32
Kieran Jackson
We’re underway with the third and final hour of practice - though no cars out on track in the first few minutes!
They’ll ease their way into it....
F1 Abu Dhabi GP LIVE: Lewis Hamilton heads into his final Mercedes practice session
10:31
Kieran Jackson
The penultimate day in the Mercedes career of Lewis Hamilton is about to begin under the baking Abu Dhabi sun!
Christian Horner hits back at Toto Wolff: ‘I’d rather be a terrier than a wolf’
10:22
Kieran Jackson
Christian Horner has responded to Toto Wolff’s insult amid a feud between drivers Max Verstappen and George Russell.
The Red Bull team principal hit out at the Mercedes driver for being “hysterical” at the Qatar Grand Prix, with Verstappen hit with a one-place demotion on the grid for blocking the Briton during qualifying.
And Wolff was left incensed by the remark and criticism of his driver, hitting back on a fiery Thursday at Yas Marina Circuit to label his colleague “a yapping little terrier”.
Full story below:
Here’s the state of play in the constructors’ championship ahead of the final race:
10:15
Kieran Jackson
1. McLaren - 640 points
2. Ferrari - 619 points
3. Red Bull Racing - 581 points
4. Mercedes - 446 points
5. Aston Martin - 92 points
6. Alpine - 59 points
7. Haas - 54 points
8. RB - 46 points
9. Williams - 17 points
10. Sauber - 4 points
READ: Inside George Russell’s extraordinary 14-minute outburst which reignites F1’s biggest feud
10:00
Kieran Jackson
The first clue that something sensational was in the offing was the jam-packed Mercedes hospitality unit, with barely a space to stand. The second clue was the Netflix microphone, hovering conspicuously over an incensed George Russell, as he launched grenade after grenade.
And the third? Toto Wolff, entering stage left, two minutes into an extraordinary 14-minute media session for the written press on Thursday, at the season-concluding race of the F1 season in Abu Dhabi.
Full piece below:
Max Verstappen hits back at George Russell as row escalates: ‘He is a loser and a backstabber’
09:30
Kieran Jackson
Earlier in the day, Russell claimed Verstappen threatened to “put my f***ing head in the wall” during an heated exchange in the stewards room at last weekend’s Qatar Grand Prix.
When those comments were put to the four-time world champion, Verstappen replied: “That’s not true. I didn’t say it like that. He’s exaggerating again.
“Do you know what I can’t stand? The way he attacks me unacceptably with the stewards and then acts like nothing happened the next day, patting me on the shoulder.
“I think, ‘Stay away from me’. He invents all sorts of nonsense. With me, you always get the same. Here, at home, with the stewards, I don’t change. You can’t say the same about everyone. But I’m not surprised by him.”
Lewis Hamilton’s farewell at Mercedes ends the greatest era in F1 history – but not in the way you think
Friday 6 December 2024 16:06
Kieran Jackson
The bemusement reverberated across the paddock. It is difficult not to overemphasise the brutal reaction the cut-throat Formula One circus – whether it be media, ex-drivers or fans – had in September 2012 when, to the astonishment of everyone, Lewis Hamilton decided to leave McLaren for Mercedes.
Even the wishes of his father and manager, Anthony, were ignored. As Jeremy Clarkson put it so tactlessly on a 2012 episode of Top Gear: “Is that not a bit like moving from Manchester United to West Ham?” And sorry Hammers fans – it was not a compliment.
Yet six world championships, 12 years and 84 grand prix victories later, Hamilton’s bold plunge into unchartered waters was his best-ever decision.
Full piece below:
F1 Abu Dhabi GP LIVE: FP2 RESULTS IN FULL
Friday 6 December 2024 14:14
Kieran Jackson
FP2 CLASSIFICATION
— Formula 1 (@F1) December 6, 2024
McLaren are looking quick heading into the weekend #F1 #AbuDhabiGP pic.twitter.com/c4BDuroKHT
F1 Abu Dhabi GP LIVE: Lando Norris quickest in FP2!
Friday 6 December 2024 14:02
Kieran Jackson
A very strong Friday for Lando Norris - second-fastest in FP1 and fastest in FP2!
His time of 1:23:517 was 0.234 secs quicker than McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri in second - and four-tenths quicker than Haas’ Nico Hulkenberg in third!
4-10: Sainz, Hamilton, Leclerc, Bottas, Magnussen, Albon, Tsunoda
And as mentioned, Max Verstappen only in P17 as he struggles with the balance and feel of his Red Bull!
F1 Abu Dhabi GP LIVE: George Russell fractious on team radio
Friday 6 December 2024 13:55
Kieran Jackson
“Currently you are managing turn 15 more than others,” says Russell’s engineer Marc Dudley.
“What do you mean managing - I’ve only done one lap!” responds Russell.
He’s in a feisty mood this week!
F1 Abu Dhabi GP LIVE: Norris and Piastri remain P1 and P2
Friday 6 December 2024 13:51
Kieran Jackson
And with most of the drivers moving onto medium, race-esque runs... it may well stay that way!
Top-10: Norris, Piastri, Hulkenberg, Sainz, Hamilton, Leclerc, Bottas, Magnussen, Albon, Tsunoda
Max Verstappen, incidentally, a full second down on Norris in P17!
10 mins left!
F1 Abu Dhabi GP LIVE: McLaren one-two in FP2!
Friday 6 December 2024 13:38
Kieran Jackson
Lando Norris remains fastest even on the soft tyre, setting a table-topping time two-tenths quicker than Oscar Piastri in second
Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc has had a moan about traffic on the team radio: “Half of the grid is sleeping, they are in the middle of the way.”
Leclerc is down in sixth currently, with Hulkenberg, Sainz and Hamilton also above him.
20 mins to go in FP2!
F1 Abu Dhabi GP LIVE: Lando Norris quickest
Friday 6 December 2024 13:22
Kieran Jackson
Lando Norris still top of the timesheet with his time of 1:24:332, two-tenths quicker than Charles Leclerc in second.
They look the pair to beat so far.
3-10: Sainz, Piastri, Verstappen, Tsunoda, Russell, Colapinto, Hamilton, Albon
All on the medium tyre in the first 20 minutes. That’ll switch to soft tyres and qualifying simulation laps soon, as the sun comes down in Abu Dhabi.
20 mins gone in FP2.
F1 Abu Dhabi GP LIVE: Max Verstappen not happy on team radio
Friday 6 December 2024 13:15
Kieran Jackson
Verstappen: “The understeer is ridiculous.”
Russell complaining about vibrations on his Mercedes car, too. They’re still not happy campers are they?!
Lando Norris quickest in the first 10 minutes or so..
F1 Abu Dhabi GP LIVE: FP2 underway!
Friday 6 December 2024 13:01
Kieran Jackson
No rookie drivers in this one (apart from Jack Doohan making his debut) as we get underway with the second hour of practice in Abu Dhabi!
Can anyone challenge or better Charles Leclerc this time around, with Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri among the drivers taking to the track for the first time!
READ: Inside George Russell’s extraordinary 14-minute outburst which reignites F1’s biggest feud
Friday 6 December 2024 12:40
Kieran Jackson
The first clue that something sensational was in the offing was the jam-packed Mercedes hospitality unit, with barely a space to stand. The second clue was the Netflix microphone, hovering conspicuously over an incensed George Russell, as he launched grenade after grenade.
And the third? Toto Wolff, entering stage left, two minutes into an extraordinary 14-minute media session for the written press on Thursday, at the season-concluding race of the F1 season in Abu Dhabi.
Full piece below:
F1 signs new contract with Chinese Grand Prix
Friday 6 December 2024 12:20
Jack Rathborn
F1 has signed a new five-year deal with the Chinese Grand Prix, with the race staying on the calendar until 2030.
The Shanghai International Circuit only returned to the schedule this year after a five-year absence due to the Covid pandemic.
It was also the first year the race had a home driver, with Zhou Guanyu appearing in front of 200,000 fans. However, the Sauber driver won’t be participating next year after he was dropped for 2025.
Nonetheless, the race – which first appeared in 2004 – has signed an extension, with the sport’s fanbase in China climbing to over 150 million people.
Lewis Hamilton reflects on ‘very emotional year’ ahead of final F1 race for Mercedes
Friday 6 December 2024 12:00
Kieran Jackson
“I anticipated it would be difficult [this year] but massively underestimated how difficult,” he said on Thursday in Abu Dhabi, about his 2024 campaign.
“It [the Ferrari move] was restraining on the relationship early on, it took some time for people to get past it. It’s been a very emotional year for me.
“And I’ve not been at my best in handling those emotions. So many of you have seen the worst of me and the best of me. I’m not going to apologise for either, I’m only human and don’t get it right.
“It’s been one of the worst years in handling that [those emotions] from my side. I hope the good and the highs outweigh the negatives. I remember the good times, I’ve built some great relationships.”
WATCH: George Russell’s eight-word takedown of Max Verstappen in furious F1 feud
Friday 6 December 2024 11:45
Kieran Jackson
F1 Abu Dhabi GP LIVE: FP1 RESULTS IN FULL...
Friday 6 December 2024 11:23
Kieran Jackson
FP1 CLASSIFICATION
— Formula 1 (@F1) December 6, 2024
All the details from the opening session on track #F1 #AbuDhabiGP pic.twitter.com/bC2VAyjAnV
George Russell says Michael Masi would be ‘fearing for his life’ if Max Verstappen had lost 2021 F1 title
Friday 6 December 2024 11:15
Kieran Jackson
George Russell has slammed Max Verstappen’s behaviour and says former F1 race director Michael Masi would be “fearing for his life” if the Red Bull driver had lost the 2021 title in the manner Lewis Hamilton did.
In an extraordinary media session in Abu Dhabi, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff stood next to Russell and defended his driver amid his row with Verstappen – and labelled Red Bull boss Christian Horner a “yapping little terrier.”
Yet Russell, responding after Verstappen had accused the Brit of “lying” in the stewards room after their clash at the last race in Qatar, was determined to “set the record straight” ahead of the final race of the season.
F1 Abu Dhabi GP LIVE: Charles Leclerc receives 10-place grid penalty!
Friday 6 December 2024 11:02
Kieran Jackson
Quickest in FP1 - but disaster for the rest of the weekend for Leclerc!
Ferrari had to fit a new battery to his car but that exceeds his season allocation, meaning he will take a 10-place grid drop for Sunday’s grand prix.
Massive advantage for McLaren in the battle for the constructors!
Both Williams drivers - Alex Albon and Franco Colapinto - will also have grid penalties this weekend. They have exceeded the allowed number of gearbox components.
F1 Abu Dhabi GP LIVE: Charles Leclerc quickest in FP1!
Friday 6 December 2024 10:33
Kieran Jackson
Leclerc stays on top, with his time of 1:24:321 just two-tenths quicker than Lando Norris in second!
First statement of intent made by Ferrari!
3-10: Hamilton, Russell, Gasly, Hulkenberg, Colapinto, Magnussen, Drugovich, Perez
An impressive showing by rookie Felipe Drugovich for Aston Martin, in P9!
F1 Abu Dhabi GP LIVE: Lewis Hamilton quickest
Friday 6 December 2024 10:03
Kieran Jackson
Hamilton in P1, just 0.005 secs ahead of teammate Russell - do Mercedes have plenty of pace again?!
Lando Norris is in third, with Gasly fourth-fastest and Perez in fifth - all on mediums to start with.
The quickest rookie? Felipe Drugovich so far, in P14.
