Source – GPblog.com
At the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Lando Norris put himself ahead of Oscar Piastri and Nico Hulkenberg in a crowded second practice session, solidifying McLaren’s position as the team to beat.
As the sun began to dip behind the towering structures of the Yas Marina Circuit, a new energy surged through the paddock. After the excitement of a rookie-laden first practice session, the regular drivers of the 2024 Formula 1 season returned to the fray, ready to battle once more for supremacy on the track. Oscar Piastri, Carlos Sainz, Max Verstappen, Lance Stroll, Yuki Tsunoda, and Alex Albon were among those who made their return, eager to get a read on the circuit ahead of Sunday’s much-anticipated 58-lap race.
With the golden hues of the desert sunset casting long shadows over the tarmac, the session would prove to be the most representative of the weekend. The early evening conditions provided a glimpse of what the drivers would face when they lined up on the grid for the main event, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the proceedings. The energy was palpable, the stakes high, and the competition fierce.
However, the day wasn’t without its hurdles. News had broken earlier in the week that Charles Leclerc would be facing a 10-place grid penalty for exceeding his allocation of Energy Stores, a blow that dealt a significant dent in Ferrari’s hopes of narrowing McLaren’s lead in the constructors’ standings. The Monegasque driver, along with his teammate Carlos Sainz, was one of the first out on track, making their way through the early traffic and looking to make up ground on McLaren’s dominant form.
As the session got underway, Lando Norris wasted no time in setting an early marker. His lap time of 1m 25.020s on the medium compound tyres put him at the top of the standings, as the field jostled for position in the crowded first few laps. The battle between Ferrari and McLaren, one of the defining storylines of the season, quickly took shape, with Norris and Sainz exchanging blows on the timesheets. Charles Leclerc, fighting the weight of his grid penalty, wasn’t far behind as he too began to make his presence felt on the track.
Max Verstappen, the reigning champion and the man many expected to dominate the session, was having a far more difficult time. A messy lap saw him struggle with his car’s balance, rattling over the kerbs and failing to make a significant impact on the timesheets. Alpine’s Jack Doohan, in the midst of his first full race weekend, was also struggling. His tyres locked up as he grappled with the car, and it was clear that the pressure was on for both of these talented rookies.
But as the session wore on, the drivers found their rhythm. With the track cooling, it was time for the all-important qualifying simulation laps. Norris once again proved his pace, setting a blistering 1m 23.517s, a time that would ultimately see him end the session on top. Piastri, ever the consistent performer, followed closely behind in second, while a surprisingly strong lap from Nico Hülkenberg saw him take third, further cementing Haas’ impressive form.
Carlos Sainz, ever the tenacious competitor, took fourth, but he was a significant 0.582 seconds off Norris’ pace. Lewis Hamilton, in what could be his final weekend with Mercedes, rounded out the top five, still searching for the magic that once made him a dominant force in Formula 1. Leclerc, fighting through the aftermath of his penalty, slotted into P6, showing that even without the benefit of a clean start, he still had the pace to stay competitive.
The surprises didn’t end there. Valtteri Bottas, a driver who has often flown under the radar this season, put in a solid performance, taking P7, ahead of Kevin Magnussen, Albon, and Tsunoda, who rounded out the top 10. It was a strong showing from Albon, who continues to prove himself as a consistent contender for points finishes, while Tsunoda’s resilience in difficult conditions was evident once more.
The rest of the grid, however, wasn’t as straightforward. Liam Lawson, stepping in for the underperforming Sergio Perez, narrowly missed out on a top 10 finish, ending the session in 11th. His performance, though, was overshadowed by the struggles of Perez, who found himself languishing in 14th. Verstappen, perhaps the biggest surprise of all, was down in P17. The Dutchman, seemingly uncharacteristically out of sorts, was dealing with front axle issues that hindered his progress, and the reigning champion was far from the usual dominant force he is accustomed to being.
Further down the order, Zhou Guanyu ended in P15, ahead of Fernando Alonso, who was clearly out of his usual element in P16. Stroll, Doohan, and Franco Colapinto brought up the rear, with the Williams driver particularly unfortunate after being forced to sit out the final portion of the session while the team assessed floor damage to his car.
As the session drew to a close, it was clear that there was much to unpack. The cooling track temperatures had delivered some intriguing results, and teams now had the chance to dissect the data ahead of the final practice session and, more crucially, the all-important qualifying session on Saturday.
With so much on the line, the stage was set for a dramatic showdown as the teams prepared to give it their all in the pursuit of grid positions and championship glory. The final hour of practice would be crucial, but for now, it was Lando Norris who stood at the top, with a time that had the rest of the grid scrambling to match it. The countdown to qualifying had begun, and the Yas Marina Circuit was ready to deliver yet another unforgettable chapter in the 2024 Formula 1 season.
