F1 Qualifying Results: Hamilton OUT in shock early exit as Red Bull star has decision overturned at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

McLaren locked out the front row for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in Saturday's qualifying session, with Lando Norris taking pole late in the day.

Carlos Sainz will start third, while Nico Hulkenberg, who briefly headed the timing boards, will join the Spaniard on the second row ahead of Max Verstappen.

F1 HEADLINES: FIA announce Hamilton verdict as MAJOR absence confirmed at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

READ MORE: Hamilton ROCKED by bizarre issue in Abu Dhabi Grand Prix nightmare

Lewis Hamilton's last weekend as a Mercedes driver has failed to go according to plan for the seven-time world champion, qualifying just 18th at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Kevin Magnussen, in an attempt to get out of the Brit's way as he pushed to make it through to Q2, knocked a bollard onto the track. That bollard became lodged under Hamilton's Mercedes, ruining his setup and sending him out of the session.

Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc will start from the back of the grid once his 10-place grid penalty is applied, having been knocked out in Q2 when he had a lap time deleted for a track limits violation.

Sergio Perez was mightily lucky to make it through Q1, getting a lap time reinstated by the stewards after it was deleted for track limits.

The Red Bull star has struggled for pace throughout the season, dropping out in the first part of qualifying six times in 2024, but made it through relatively comfortably at the final race of the season.

READ MORE: F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix qualifying delayed after freak accident

F1 Qualifying Results: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2024

1. Lando Norris [McLaren] - 1:22.595sec
2. Oscar Piastri [McLaren] - +0.209s
3. Carlos Sainz [Ferrari] - +0.229s
4. Nico Hulkenberg [Haas] - +0.291s
5. Max Verstappen [Red Bull] - +0.350s
6. Pierre Gasly [Alpine] - +0.389s
7. George Russell [Mercedes] - +0.537s
8. Fernando Alonso [Aston Martin] - +0.601s
9. Valtteri Bottas [Kick Sauber] - +0.609s
10. Sergio Perez [Red Bull] - +0.669s

ELIMINATED IN Q2

11. Yuki Tsunoda [VCARB]
12. Liam Lawson [VCARB]
13. Lance Stroll [Aston Martin]
14. Charles Leclerc [Ferrari]
15. Kevin Magnussen [Haas]

ELIMINATED IN Q1

16. Alex Albon [Williams]
17. Zhou Guanyu [Kick Sauber]
18. Lewis Hamilton [Mercedes]
19. Franco Colapinto [Williams]
20. Jack Doohan [Alpine]

How does F1 Qualifying work?

The qualifying session is split into three finite windows, which provide a dramatic prelude to Sunday's race.

The bottom five drivers are eliminated at the end of Q1, with a further five eliminated after Q2.

Then, Q3 gives us a shootout between the remaining 10 drivers in the battle for positions at the front of the grid.

READ MORE: F1 team confirm sensational driver signing for 2025

Related

Max Verstappen

Verstappen Abu Dhabi 2021 controversy marked with Red Bull deal

• December 12, 2024 13:56

Max Verstappen

Late FIA punishment verdict revealed after controversial Verstappen Abu Dhabi incident

• December 12, 2024 09:57