Hamilton's luck out in Abu Dhabi as Norris claims pole

Bollard does for Lewis Hamilton's qualifying time on his Mercedes bow but McLaren on cusp of constructors' title

- KIERAN JACKSON

If there was any need for a moment to sum up Lewis Hamilton's final season for Mercedes, in what is set to be his worst F1 season, it was this gigantic slice of ill fortune in yesterday’s qualifying under the night sky in Abu Dhabi.

In need of improvement on his final lap in Q1, Hamilton looked pacy until a loose bollard flew under his car floor and stayed there, wedged, for the rest of his lap. Needless to say, it impacted his speed and he qualified third-slowest in his 246th and final qualifying session for Mercedes. He will start 16th today due to grid penalties.

In contrast, Hamilton’s former team McLaren had a dream qualifying session and are now on the cusp of their first constructors’ title in 26 years. British driver Lando Norris led home a one-two finish, with Oscar Piastri alongside him on the front row amid joyous celebrations for the papaya-clad team on the pit wall.

Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz is a spot behind the McLaren pair in third but Charles Leclerc, one of F1’s quickest drivers over one lap, was penalised for track limits and qualified only 14th-fastest. A 10-place grid penalty, due to exceeding his battery allocation, added insult to injury and the Monegasque will start second-last.