Charles Leclerc Leads Practice One at Abu Dhabi GP, but Ferrari Faces Constructors' Title Setback
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix got off to an intriguing start as Charles Leclerc topped the time charts in the first practice session, setting the fastest lap of 1:24.321. However, Ferrari’s hopes of clinching the Constructors’ Championship suffered an immediate blow when it was confirmed that Leclerc would face a 10-place grid penalty for Sunday's race due to a pre-session battery change. Ferrari’s Uphill Battle in the Constructors’ Championship Ferrari entered the 2024 F1 season finale trailing McLaren by 21 points in the Constructors’ Championship. To have any realistic chance of claiming their first title since 2008, Ferrari needs a near-perfect race weekend, ideally with a one-two finish. Leclerc’s grid penalty complicates this scenario, as it places significant pressure on the Scuderia to deliver flawless qualifying and race strategies. Leclerc’s performance in Practice One was a small consolation for Ferrari. The Monegasque driver outpaced McLaren’s Lando Norris, who finished jus...