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McLaren are well placed to seal their first constructor’s championship since 1998, with Lando Norris in pole position, and his teammate Oscar Piastri second. Ferrari are second in the standings, 21 points down, but Charles Leclerc languishes in 19th on the Yas Marina grid after a 10-place penalty for taking a new battery unit, plus the deletion of his final quick lap in qualifying for exceeding track limits. Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz tucks in behind the McLarens in third on the grid, but the Scuderia face what looks an almost impossible task.
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In addition to the constructor’s title denouement this will be a poignant occasion for British fans, it being Lewis Hamilton’s final race for Mercedes. The singularly talented seven-times world champion will join Ferrari next year, but after what Toto Wolff called an ‘idiotic’ mistake by the team in qualifying, he starts in 18th place. It will be an emotional day for Hamilton and his team as they rightfully honour their past glories, while McLaren attempt to wrap up that constructors’ crown.
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Lights out: 1pm UK time.
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main events
Oscar Piastri of McLaren, second on the grid, talks: “Those who get off to a good start will move on from there.”
How offensive Does he have high hopes for Carlos Sainz? “very.”
Will this be Valtteri Bottas' last race?
“It's not over yet,” the Sauber driver tells Brundle.
“That's great,” the interviewer replied.
Brundle then said he saw Bottas jump into the pits. Was he wishing his former teammate Hamilton the best of luck as he leaves Mercedes?
“No,” Bottas replies. “Actually, I used the restroom.”
Brundle proposes to Ferrari's Charles Leclerc It might be fun to compete on the field from the 19th.
“It would have been more fun if I had been in front,'' says the Frenchman. “We will do everything we can to make miracles happen. That's what we need today: miracles.”
“My dream came true … I’ve been looking for you all weekend,” comedian Michael McIntyre told Brundle of his participation in the famous pre-race grid walk.
“I'm a little nervous…this is the first time I've really missed a game.” [Tottenham] game [to be at this race](Spurs vs. Chelsea at 4:30pm UK time.)
“My plan was to ignore you [Brundle]Because all cool people are like that. But when I came over and gave her a hug, it completely backfired.
“I'm like a guest of Mercedes and Red Bull… It might be a bit of a crime. I'm here to broker peace.
“It's completely and completely wild.” [on the grid] … I’m a big fan of yours,” McIntyre finally told Brundle.
“Thank you, I'm a big fan of yours too,” Brundle insists.
“I'm working hard for that. I hope to get there one day,” 2022 F2 champion Felipe Drugovic told Brundle of his F1 dreams.
Actor Terry Crews, He says this to Brundle on the grid with a smile. “F1 is great. This is my fourth race. It won't be my last.”
“Your energy is amazing,” Brundle replies.
Red Bull's Christian Horner We're talking with Brundle about the team's outlook today. Of course, Max Verstappen won the drivers' title a long time ago.
“It's like a cup final for us,” Horner said. “We have nothing to lose. Let's do our best and finish the season on a good note.
“They have to run their own race,” he added of McLaren and Ferrari. “They may have to be a little conservative… There will be opportunities, and Max is not afraid to take on the challenge.”
Grid walk time! Let's go, Martin.
brad pitt is chatting We spoke with Ted Kravitz about the F1 movie he's been working on over the past 18 months.
“I have a lot of respect for them,” Pitt says. “What the driver can do, what the car can do. It's off the charts. I've had the time of my life. I wish I could have gone another year. [of filming] …I might shed tears too, I might see a grown man cry. [when it ends after the race]”
At the end of the live segment, Pitt jokingly suggested Kravitz make a cameo appearance in the film.
“Do you want to come in?” Pit asks.
“No, I'm happy doing what I'm doing,” Kravitz replied sheepishly. Awkward.
Fun fact: A few years ago I rode a Lotto Soudal bike around the Yas Marina circuit. So I know racing lines.
Giles Richards
red bull team representativeChristian Horner has defended driver Max Verstappen in an increasingly bitter battle with world champion and Mercedes' George Russell, very publicly as part of his year-end 'pantomime season' ahead of Abu Dhabi this weekend. The Grand Prix dismissed the fight between the two.
Well done If I find myself confusing Mercedes and McLaren there. Stupid me.
I haven't received any email about it yet, but it's not too late.
All F1-related emails are subject to publication.
“today's cars are very fast. You can't see it on TV,'' Mercedes' Toto Wolff told Brundle in a live interview from the pit lane in Abu Dhabi.
“Lewis was very fast. [in qualifying]. we got it wrong. Should have sent him out sooner…and Bollard. He was third and fast, so he could have been in the lead. ”
On Hamilton's last race with Mercedes: “It's a high emotion. Now that it's zoned, it's a lot of work for two hours.
“If he doesn't win, we'll be rooting for him.”
And as for the relative lack of success in recent seasons: “You have to look at the incredible success we have had… There is no longer a team-driver relationship that has been as successful as this one, and we need to celebrate and reflect on this.
“I'd be happy if he could break out of the pack today. That's why I was so frustrated yesterday. [with the qualifying]I wanted to see them off on the podium. ”
This is a great feature of Sky. Brundle followed Hamilton around Silverstone, both driving Mercedes.
“Look at this speed! Look at the confidence,” Brundle said of the way Hamilton handled the car.
“I really didn't want to go in. That was really tough,” Hamilton said.
In commemoration of Hamilton's departureMartin Brundle was driving a Mercedes and Lewis gave him some tips. Apparently Brundle has driven 70 different cars during his racing career and 28 years in the broadcasting industry.
Giles Richards
Say farewell in style There were optimistic hopes for Lewis Hamilton going into his final showdown with Mercedes at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, but even luck was not on the British driver's side after qualifying in 18th place. .
preamble
Max Verstappen has already won his fourth title, the drivers have fallen out with each other and the team is frustrated with the FIA. It's business as usual in F1, but there's still plenty of potential drama in today's final race of the season.
McLaren are in a good position to win their first constructors' championship since 1998, with Lando Norris on pole and teammate Oscar Piastri in second. Ferrari are second in the standings with a 21 point difference, but Charles Leclerc is 19th on the grid at Yas Marina due to a 10th place penalty for fitting a new battery unit, as well as the deletion of his final quick qualifying lap due to exceeding track limits. It has slumped in rank. Ferrari's Carlos Sainz closes in behind the McLaren in third on the grid, but the Scuderia faces an almost impossible task.
In addition to the constructors' title culmination, this will also be Lewis Hamilton's final race for Mercedes, a poignant occasion for British fans. The seven-time world champion and extraordinary talent will join Ferrari next year, but will start 18th after what Toto Wolff called a “stupid” mistake by the team in qualifying. It became. It will be an emotional day for Hamilton and his team as they duly honor their past glories, while McLaren look to close out the constructors' championship.
Off: 1pm UK time.
