F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix qualifying delayed after freak accident

hamilton, mercedes, abu dhabi, 2024, f1, generic — Photo: © IMAGO

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Qualifying

F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix qualifying delayed after freak accident

Q2 was delayed at the Yas Marina Circuit

Sam Cook Digital Journalist

Sports Journalist who has been covering motorsport since 2023

Saturday 7 December 2024 15:40 Updated: 16:19

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Qualifying for the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was delayed due to an unusual incident at the Yas Marina Circuit.

Q2 was pushed back a few minutes, following an incident which saw Lewis Hamilton fall to a Q1 exit in his final race with Mercedes.

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Kevin Magnussen cut the corner at Turn 14 in order to get out of the way of several cars that were on their flying laps, but knocked over a bollard.

That bollard then got lodged under Hamilton's car as he attempted to finish his lap and get out of Q1.

The second qualifying session then faced a short delay as marshals worked to replace the bollard.

Lewis Hamilton was dumped out of Q1 at the Abu Dhabi GP

Bizarre issue forces qualifying delay

Magnussen's error only caused a five-minute delay to proceedings, but it did cap off what was an action-packed Q1.

Sergio Perez was frustrated after having a lap time deleted, before it was later reinstated, helping him to get into Q2, but using an extra set of tyres that he didn't need to use because of the mistake.

Hamilton's struggles continued, and he will start his final race as a Mercedes driver down in 18th.

The seven-time champion is set to move to Ferrari from next season, ending his highly-successful 12-season spell with the Brackley outfit.

Lewis Hamilton Mercedes Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Kevin Magnussen Yas Marina Circuit

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