Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: Lando Norris clinches pole as McLaren inch nearer to constructors’ title by locking out entrance row

Lando Norris hailed “an ideal day” after securing pole forward of teammate Oscar Piastri to maneuver McLaren inside attain of a primary constructors’ title since 1998 at Sunday’s decisive season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

In an eventful Saturday qualifying session the place seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton was unluckily eradicated in Q1 in his closing weekend with Mercedes, Norris topped the occasions in a single minute and 22.595 seconds to outpace Piastri by three-tenths of a second.

Carlos Sainz, in his closing weekend with Ferrari earlier than leaving to hitch Williams, was third, 0.020 seconds behind Piastri as McLaren reeled off their third entrance row lockout of the season.

Ferrari have to overhaul a 21-point deficit to take the constructors’ title forward of McLaren, however suffered a blow when Charles Leclerc was eradicated in Q2 and, with a 10-place grid penalty, he’ll begin from the again of the grid on Sunday.

Nico Hulkenberg certified fourth for Haas – earlier than being hit with a three-place penalty – forward of newly-crowned four-time world champion Max Verstappen of Pink Bull, Pierre Gasly of Alpine and Mercedes’ George Russell.

Two-time champion Fernando Alonso was eighth for Aston Martin, 24 hours after describing his automobile as “the worst ever”, forward of Valtteri Bottas of Sauber and Sergio Perez within the second Pink Bull.

“An ideal day for us,” mentioned Norris who secured his eighth pole of the season.

“In all probability slightly harder than earlier than as we’ve been robust all weekend. My lap was robust too so it was simply what we needed from at present.”

Lance Stroll was first out for Q1 in his Aston Martin because the solar set over the Yas Marina Circuit in clear situations and temperatures of 25 (air) and (30) observe, close to excellent for the unprecedented twenty fourth and closing qualifying of the yr.

Hamilton ‘tousled’

After scrubbed laps for exceeding observe limits by Perez and Franco Colapinto, Sainz went prime because the Mexican’s lap was reinstated and Bottas took command shortly earlier than Hamilton, on a determined late lap, did not make it.

He was eradicated in Q1 for the third time in his closing six races earlier than leaving Mercedes for Ferrari and in his 246th and closing outing for the ‘Silver Arrows’.

“I messed that up huge time guys,” a crestfallen Hamilton conceded on the staff radio. “That was dangerous,” he added.

Hamilton’s demise got here after he picked up a bollard – flicked into his path by Kevin Magnussen’s Haas – that was caught below his automobile, creating imbalance and lack of tempo.

After a document 104 pole positions, 78 with Mercedes, it was a tragic qualifying finale for the seven-time champion earlier than his transfer to Ferrari – and on a circuit the place he has taken a document 5 poles.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff blamed “an fool’s mistake” that led to Hamilton being despatched out late to make sure he reached the second qualifying session when an errant bollard lodged below his automobile and wrecked his efficiency and lap.

In consequence, he’ll begin in direction of the rear of the grid for his closing race with Mercedes earlier than becoming a member of Ferrari subsequent season.

“I simply have to apologise to Lewis,” mentioned Wolff.

“We completely let him down. An idiotic mistake to not go earlier. Inexcusable, inexcusable! I’ve not often been so down about what has occurred.

In one other incident, Russell was seen to run off observe to keep away from baulking Liam Lawson on a flying lap.

After a lot swearing on the RB radio channel, the stewards investigated and took no additional motion, a baffling resolution every week after an identical difficulty had initiated Russell’s promotion to pole in Qatar the place Verstappen was penalised.

Verstappen set the Q2 tempo with an early lap in 1:22.998 and selected to chill out as his rivals took second runs – Leclerc going prime earlier than his lap was deleted for observe limits at Flip One.

This meant he certified 14th however his penalty means he’ll begin Sunday’s race behind the grid – a large setback for Ferrari of their bid to overtake McLaren.