By DANIEL DAVIS
Published: 07:02 EST, 8 December 2024 | Updated: 08:09 EST, 8 December 2024
Follow Mail Sport’s live blog for the latest leaderboard and lap-by-lap updates from the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
My word. Is that it for Sergio Perez at Red Bull?
He’s out of his car in the final sector and we have a VSC.
Replays showed he was tagged by Valtteri Bottas’ Sauber.
Absolute chaos at the start of this race.
Sergio Perez also spun in a poor first lap for Red Bull. That allowed Charles Leclerc to gain another place. He’s up to eighth.
Lewis Hamilton is up to 12th.
Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri made contact at the first corner and span! Lando Norris leads the race.
Horror start for McLaren.
Verstappen is 14th and Piastri is last.
We’re off for the final formation lap of 2024.
Lando Norris has led the pack away.
The whole grid are on mediums apart from Lewis Hamilton, who has bolted on the hard tyre. He’ll be looking to go long.
Strap in, folks. This is your five-minute warning.
Will McLaren clinch the constructors’ title? Will Lewis Hamilton make it a fairytale farewell at Mercedes? We’ll find out very shortly.
Valtteri Bottas is giving nothing away ahead of his final race for Sauber.
This may very well be his final outing in Formula 1 after his team opted to partner Gabriel Bortoleto alongside Nico Hulkenberg next year.
But when asked by Martin Brundle whether this is his last hurrah at the top of motorsport, he replied: ‘I’m not done yet.’
For now, the mystery continues for the former Mercedes man…
Christian Horner was just questioned by Martin Brundle on what lies ahead for Sergio Perez and he was evasive, to say the least.
‘Let’s hope he finishes the season on a high note then we will sit down this week and reflect on the season,’ Horner said.
Perez is under contract for 2025 but all the signs are pointing to a brutal summer sacking. Liam Lawson is the favourite to take his place.
It’s almost time for the national anthem – the final one of the year.
Race control have already been called into action. Kevin Magnussen has been noted for a practice start infringement.
That one is being looked at.
McLaren have a 21-point lead over Ferrari.
A victory for either Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri would wrap up the constructors’ title for the Papaya, regardless of Ferrari’s results today.
Remember, Norris is in pole while Piastri lines up P2.
They will also take home the trophy…
Now that’s how you make an entrance.
Lewis Hamilton walked into the paddock clad in a bright red suit.
A nod to his soon-to-be employers, perhaps?
Hello, one and all. Thanks for joining us for the final race of this pulsating Formula 1 season. Let’s hope we bow out with a bang today.
The drivers’ championship has already been wrapped up, of course, but the constructors’ trophy is very much still up for grabs.
McLaren are the big favourites, especially after their front-row lockout with Lando Norris on pole, but you can’t rule Ferrari out.
This will be an emotional one with several drivers bidding farewell.
The biggest tear-jerker will be Lewis Hamilton’s goodbye. This is his very last outing for Mercedes before he officially joins Ferrari.
It’s lights out at the Yas Marina circuit at 1pm BST.
Conclusion
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is set to be an exciting finale to the Formula 1 season, with the constructors’ title still up for grabs. McLaren are the favourites, but Ferrari can’t be ruled out. Lewis Hamilton will be bidding farewell to Mercedes, and it’s a moment that’s sure to bring a tear to the eye.
FAQs
Q: Who is favourite to win the constructors’ title?
A: McLaren are the favourites, especially after their front-row lockout with Lando Norris on pole.
Q: Who will Lewis Hamilton be driving for next season?
A: Lewis Hamilton will be joining Ferrari next season.
Q: Who is bidding farewell to Formula 1 at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix?
A: Several drivers, including Lewis Hamilton, are bidding farewell to the sport at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
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