Ferrari and McLaren are in a close battle to win Formula One’s world constructors’ championship in the second half of the 2024 season, with the battle coming down to Sunday’s final race at Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina circuit.
But as the first free practice ended on Friday, Ferrari suffered a major blow to their hopes of winning the Formula One constructors’ title for the first time since 2008, as Charles Leclerc received a 10-place grid penalty. After Leclerc set the fastest lap in free practice, Ferrari revealed that they had changed the car’s battery, which automatically resulted in a grid penalty.
The FIA confirmed in a technical report that Leclerc was now using his third energy store for the season, one more than allowed.
Ferrari are 21 points behind leader McLaren, who last won the constructors’ championship in 1998. With 44 points still to be won on Sunday, and third-placed Red Bull out of the race, Ferrari will face a tough task to keep both cars ahead. McLaren, before the fireworks at the checkered flag, is a must-win scenario to win the title.
Free Practice 1 Leclerc finished with a best time of 1.24.231, and McLaren’s Lando Norris came in second, 0.221 slower. The Mercedes pair of seven-time world champions Lewis Hamilton and George Russell were showing good pace around the circuit in third and fourth respectively, but Hamilton is being investigated by the stewards for allegedly obstructing Norris and could face a penalty.