2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Preview – Sport Grill

Guide to the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as F1 reaches the conclusion of a memorable season. 

From the highs of Lando Norris’ maiden victory in Miami to Lewis Hamilton’s home win at Silverstone to the lows of stewarding inconsistencies plus mid-season exits of Logan Sargeant and Daniel Ricciardo, F1 is ready for one last drive this season.

With Max Verstappen already confirmed as champion, attention is on Norris as he looks to finish as vice-champion if he can avoid being outscored by Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc who is only eight points behind the Brit.

McLaren meanwhile look to end 26 years of hurt and claim a first constructors’ title since 1998, yet Ferrari must overturn a 21-point deficit to deny their British rivals.

This weekend though will see poignant farewells as Lewis Hamilton, Carlos Sainz and Nico Hulkenberg say goodbye to their current teams ahead of moves in 2025, whilst Franco Colapinto is set to return to reserve duties at Williams next season.

Valtteri Bottas and Guanyu Zhou meanwhile could be participating in their last-ever F1 race, with the pair leaving Sauber and no seats available for the pair next season.

Alpine however mark a new dawn as Jack Doohan makes his debut following Esteban Ocon’s departure after Qatar, whilst FP1 will see some rookie drivers get a runout – including Luke Browning at Williams.

Now, here is everything that you need to know ahead of the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Track Guide

Laps: 58

Race Distance: 306.183km

Tyre Compounds: C3, C4 & C5

Schedule

Five Key Pointers

• With contrastable track conditions between FP1 and FP3 to FP2 and Qualifying respectively, only FP2 will provide a representative picture of the pecking order heading into Qualifying.
• Traction could be crucial out of the first hairpin because just one slight mistake will impact their maximum speed along the back straight, especially if battling cars have different tyre degradation.
• Each of the last nine races in Abu Dhabi have been won from pole so Qualifying could be crucial in determining victory.
• With the last two trips to Abu Dhabi having seen a mix of one or two stop strategies, this year could well see more of the same given the challenge in maintaining grip levels.
• Although Alpine are battling Haas for sixth in the constructors’ standings, Jack Doohan faces little pressure as he makes his debut ahead of a full season in 2025.

Last Time Out

Verstappen dominated the race in 2023 to complete a dominant season ahead of Leclerc, but the Scuderia lost out to second in the constructors to Mercedes.

2024 Race Recaps