Which Formula 1 driver made the most of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend?
It’s time to give your verdict on which driver did the best with the equipment at their disposal over the last three days.
Review how each driver got on below and vote for who impressed you the most at Yas Marina.
Driver performance summary
| Driver | Q stage | Q pos. | Q gap to team mate | GP grid pos. | GP pos. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Verstappen | Q3 | 5 | -0.319s | 4 | 6 |
| Sergio Perez | Q3 | 10 | +0.319s | 10 | 20 |
| Lewis Hamilton | Q1 | 18 | +0.209s | 16 | 4 |
| George Russell | Q3 | 7 | -0.209s | 6 | 5 |
| Charles Leclerc | Q2 | 14 | +0.848s | 19 | 3 |
| Carlos Sainz Jnr | Q3 | 3 | -0.848s | 3 | 2 |
| Lando Norris | Q3 | 1 | -0.209s | 1 | 1 |
| Oscar Piastri | Q3 | 2 | +0.209s | 2 | 10 |
| Lance Stroll | Q2 | 13 | +0.516s | 13 | 14 |
| Fernando Alonso | Q3 | 8 | -0.516s | 8 | 9 |
| Jack Doohan | Q1 | 20 | +0.557s | 17 | 15 |
| Pierre Gasly | Q3 | 6 | -0.557s | 5 | 7 |
| Alexander Albon | Q1 | 16 | -0.091s | 18 | 11 |
| Franco Colapinto | Q1 | 19 | +0.091s | 20 | 19 |
| Liam Lawson | Q2 | 12 | +0.053s | 12 | 17 |
| Yuki Tsunoda | Q2 | 11 | -0.053s | 11 | 12 |
| Valtteri Bottas | Q3 | 9 | -0.399s | 9 | 18 |
| Zhou Guanyu | Q1 | 17 | +0.399s | 15 | 13 |
| Kevin Magnussen | Q2 | 15 | +0.837s | 14 | 16 |
| Nico Hulkenberg | Q3 | 4 | -0.837s | 7 | 8 |
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Vote for your driver of the weekend
Which driver do you think did the best job throughout the race weekend?
Who got the most out of their car in qualifying and the race? Who put their team mate in the shade?
Cast your vote below and explain why you chose the driver you picked in the comments.
Who was the best driver of the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend?
- No opinion (0%)
- Kevin Magnussen (1%)
- Nico Hulkenberg (5%)
- Zhou Guanyu (0%)
- Valtteri Bottas (0%)
- Yuki Tsunoda (0%)
- Liam Lawson (0%)
- Franco Colapinto (0%)
- Alexander Albon (0%)
- Pierre Gasly (10%)
- Jack Doohan (1%)
- Fernando Alonso (1%)
- Lance Stroll (0%)
- Oscar Piastri (0%)
- Lando Norris (30%)
- Carlos Sainz Jnr (2%)
- Charles Leclerc (23%)
- George Russell (0%)
- Lewis Hamilton (26%)
- Sergio Perez (0%)
- Max Verstappen (0%)
Total Voters: 92
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When this poll is closed the result will be displayed instead of the voting form.
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Pinak Ghosh (@pinakghosh)
8th December 2024, 18:32
Norris. It was a strong drive. But I wonder what would have happened if Verstappen started from second
Yes (@come-on-kubica)
8th December 2024, 18:40
Norris punted out?
Michael (@freelittlebirds)
8th December 2024, 18:46
@pinakghosh Max would have gone after Lando had he not spun after hitting the first target. It’s quite possible McLaren would not be Constructors’ Champions today if Max was allowed to work his magic on track.
David (@nvherman)
8th December 2024, 18:57
@freelittlebirds McLaren would still have won the WCC even if the Verstappen had won, as if Norris and Piastri finished 2nd and 3rd (as Piastri wouldn’t have ended up at the back of the field, or getting a penalty), Sainz and Leclerc would’ve been no higher than 4th and 5th
Michael (@freelittlebirds)
8th December 2024, 19:48
@nvherman
Not if he had spun both Piastri and Norris.
roadrunner (@roadrunner)
8th December 2024, 19:14
Leclercs first lap was one of the best in all of F1’s history. But he ultimately made the error in Q2. So Norris, who was flawless and ultimately secured the title.
SPArtacus
9th December 2024, 0:01
Statistically / in terms of places gained maybe, but it wasn’t one of the best first laps in history in terms of pulling off spectacular moves. And I say this as a Leclerc fan.
BenHur
9th December 2024, 9:10
I still go for Fernando Alonso’s at Hungaroring 2016, but this one is in my top 5
BasCB (@bascb)
9th December 2024, 11:56
Yeah, I went with Norris too for the same reason. Hamilton was good in the race as well, but did even worse in qualifying.
I think Gasly and Hulk also deserve a shout out – both qualified well and probably got about the maximum their cars offered out of the race.
BasCB (@bascb)
9th December 2024, 11:57
Oh, and off course Sainz should be mentioned in that vein too, he got the best out of qualifying as well as the race.
Ray West (@raynaud2211)
8th December 2024, 19:41
For me it was Russell, really showed that he can beat Verstappen. Shame he still got beaten by his teammate from P16.
Nah kidding, Lando did what he needed to do. Controlled and no mistakes. Best driver of the weekend.
TFLB (@tflb)
8th December 2024, 19:49
Norris was obviously very good. Likewise Hulkenberg and Gasly.
However, my vote goes to Sainz – no major errors, and did his best against the clearly superior Mclarens. Looked a couple of tenths quicker than Leclerc all weekend too. A very respectable way to sign off from Ferrari.
BenHur
9th December 2024, 9:57
I agree, what a shame Carlos did not have the pace challenge Lando. Had Carlos overtaken Lando, it would have been a 14 points switch, just enough to tie the WCC. From the top of my head I reckon it would still have gone to McLaren (6 wins to 5 along the season) so the FLAP would have been a decider.
roadrunner (@roadrunner)
9th December 2024, 15:29
Had Sainz overtaken Norris Ferrari would also be ahead on countback as they would have scored their 6th win whereas McLaren would go back to five. But they indeed could have tried to pit Norris to get FLAP. The gap to Leclerc was just about big enough. That would be truly exciting, but also a mess as well with maybe Ferrari pitting Sainz a lap later to block Norris or whatever. Also a championship being decided by FLAP just wouldn’t feel right.
Robert Williams (@weiliwen)
8th December 2024, 20:16
I voted for Leclerc, but I have to give honorable mention to Pierre Gasly, whose performance netted Alpine several million dollars.
notagrumpyfan
9th December 2024, 10:20
People voting for Leclerc (or Hamilton) might have forgotten that it’s Driver of the Weekend.
Interestingly the same people often forget it is Driver of the Weekend.
IMO if you consider the car they were driving, Gasly and Hulkenberg (and maybe even Alonso) showed a more impressive weekend even when losing positions than Leclerc and Hamilton gaining positions.
elchinero (@elchinero)
9th December 2024, 13:54
#44 — class of the field …. and savior of Ferrari s/
Robert Williams (@weiliwen)
9th December 2024, 15:29
I haven’t forgotten, thanks for the condescending note, though.
juan fanger (@juan-fanger)
8th December 2024, 20:31
Not a fan, but Gasly did another good job in an underpowered car.
It’s a pity Renault aren’t allowed to fix their engine because of the rules. They reckon they know exactly what to do to get their power up to the level of the other engine manufacturers. So their cars are losing around 1/2 a second per lap just in power which may have cost Gasly pole (and the company is closing their F1 engine facilities, possibly from embarrassment).
Jim from US (@jimfromus)
8th December 2024, 21:24
Has to be NOR. He’s struggled starting from pole. Took pole and then went wire to wire. A shame VER has only one move, the dive bomb, because it could have been a great race among the top 5 or 6 today.
SPArtacus
9th December 2024, 0:04
Lot of strong drives today: Norris, Sainz, Leclerc, Lewis, Gasly, Hulkenberg and Alonso all basically getting the most possible out of their cars. But, because of the pressure on his shoulders, it’s gotta be Lando for me.
Michael (@freelittlebirds)
9th December 2024, 17:11
Agreed, it was a great day for many drivers. I do wonder if Hulk could have done better without the penalty.
Jere (@jerejj)
9th December 2024, 12:10
Lando is an easy choice for DOTW, but DOTD is more difficult, with him, LEC, & HAM all being valid choices.
Perhaps HAM ultimately deserves that honor the most.
Michael (@freelittlebirds)
9th December 2024, 17:10
yeah, there were very good performances but Lando’s efforts held off Ferrari. Piastri also was there to at least be the sacrificial lamb because if he wasn’t there, Lando could have been on the receiving end of that and that’s why the presence of the other car is always so important to be close so they can shield each other, if necessary.
David BR (@david-br)
9th December 2024, 12:26
Leclerc for the first lap brilliance and the clear-headed pursuit of a WCC that ultimately eluded Ferrari.