P1racenews AI automatic summary:
McLaren is in the pound seat as far as the F1 constructors’ championship is concerned, with a healthy points lead and one Ferrari hindered by a grid penalty. Is there a way back for Ferrari? Mark Hughes looks at the evidence from Friday at the Abu Dhabi GP
“McLaren showed strong performance in Friday’s running in Abu Dhabi, indicating a positive outlook for their pursuit of the Formula 1 constructors’ championship, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri leading the way. The team displayed a significant advantage over Ferrari, both in headline times and long-run simulations. Furthermore, Charles Leclerc’s 10-place grid penalty adds to Ferrari’s challenges. Despite Mercedes and Red Bull also showing competitive long-run pace, McLaren appears to have an edge in all three sectors. The team’s focus on maintaining tyre degradation bodes well for the race. Norris highlighted the need for improvement, emphasizing the balance between speed and tire management, while Hamilton expressed enjoyment at his final Friday with Mercedes and acknowledged the tough competition from McLaren and Ferrari. Leclerc remains focused on a strong recovery on race day, emphasizing the team’s internal efforts.”
