Oscar Piastre led Lando Norris as McLaren continued to dominate in final practice ahead of qualifying for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Piastre was nearly two-tenths quicker than Norris, with Lewis Hamilton third in his final race weekend for Mercedes, but by 0.390s, underscoring McLaren’s advantage.
McLaren are in their first Constructors’ Championship since 1998 as they lead Ferrari by 21 points heading into the season finale and victory on Sunday would guarantee the title for either driver.
Carlos Sainz was the best of the Ferraris in fifth, just behind Max Verstappen, and Charles Leclerc was only ninth, but has a 10-place grid penalty for the new battery, so seems to have prepared his car more. for the race.
Kevin Magnussen led most of the final practice session but ended the session in eighth, with Haas’ teammate Nico Hulkenberg seventh.
Haas trails Alpin by five points in the race for sixth in the Constructors’ Championship.
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Sky Sports News’ Craig Slater gives an insight into what to expect from the blockbuster F1 season in Abu Dhabi.
Rosberg: McLaren in a league of their own, will Lewis finish on a high?
Qualifying will be held in cooler conditions after the sun goes down, so the teams decided to leave it until the last 10 minutes of practice to show their hand as temperatures dropped during the session.
Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari were close to McLaren in the first two sections, but lost a lot of time in the twisty final section, which is full of corners.
Piastre was visibly more connected in the final stretch compared to Norris, who trailed his team-mate by 0.193s at the end of the lap.
“I think we’re really starting to get an idea of the situation there. McLaren is in a league of its own and then it’s close behind,” said 2016 F1 world champion Nico Rosberg. Sky Sports F1.
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Lewis Hamilton has admitted he underestimated how difficult his final Mercedes year would be and that he didn’t handle his emotions too well ahead of his final race for the team at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Hamilton would improve for his time as he was the only leader to improve on the second attempt on the soft tires late in the session.
Despite the older rubber, Hamilton was the McLarens closest challenger and will be hoping to produce something special in his final qualifying for Mercedes. later on Saturday at 14:00, Sky Sports F1 live.
“Lewis has a great chance to finish high here at the moment because he’s had a good start to the weekend, more comfortable than George,” continued Rosberg.
“But we know George usually finds some magic in qualifying, so don’t write him off just yet.”
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Sky Sports revisits Lewis Hamilton’s most emotional moments for Mercedes ahead of his final race in Abu Dhabi
Sky Sports F1 live Abu Dhabi GP schedule
Saturday December 7
13.15. Abu Dhabi GP Qualifying
14:00. ABU DHABI GP QUALIFYING*
16:00: F1 Academy: Race Two
5:00 PM Ted’s Qualifying Notebook
Sunday, December 8
7.10: The third race of the F1 Academy
9.20: F2 feature race
11.30. Grand Prix Sunday. Abu Dhabi GP Rally
13:00 ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX
At 15:00. Checkered flag. Abu Dhabi GP reaction
16:00: Ted’s notebook
*also live on Sky Sports Main Event
Watch the final race of the 2024 Formula 1 season, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, live on Sky Sports F1 at 1pm on Sunday. Get Sky Sports F1 or stream via NOW
