Abu Dhabi GP: Free Practice 1 Results
Lando Norris narrowly beat Max Verstappen to top the first free practice session for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, with only 0.008 seconds separating them. The session saw nine rookie drivers gain experience, with Charles Leclerc and Kimi Antonelli completing the top four. Several drivers reported balance issues, setting the stage for a critical FP2 as teams fine-tune their cars.
Lando Norris topped the first practice session for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with a 1m24.485s lap, narrowly beating title rival Max Verstappen by just 0.008 seconds. Charles Leclerc and Kimi Antonelli completed the top four, in a session heavily influenced by rookie appearances. Nine full-time drivers sat out, allowing young talent to gain valuable track time, though some reported balance issues.
Why it matters:
- The narrow margin between Norris and Verstappen in the opening session signals a potentially tight and competitive Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, setting the stage for an intense weekend as the season concludes.
- The strong showing from several rookies highlights the depth of talent emerging in motorsport, providing a glimpse into the future of Formula 1 and potential new contenders.
The details:
- Norris Edges Verstappen: Lando Norris set the fastest time with a 1m24.485s, just 0.008s quicker than Max Verstappen, indicating strong form from McLaren right out of the gate.
- Rookie Showcase: Nine full-time drivers, including Lewis Hamilton and Sergio Perez, gave up their seats for FP1 to allow rookie drivers to participate. This provided crucial experience for young talents and an early assessment of their performance under Grand Prix conditions.
- Top Rookies: Ryo Hirakawa led the rookie contingent in 11th, while Gabriel Bortoleto, Oliver Bearman, Kimi Antonelli, and Franco Colapinto also featured in the top 10 or near it, demonstrating promising pace.
- Incidents and Issues: Charles Leclerc had a late spin at Turn 5 but managed to recover. Several drivers, both experienced and rookies, reported issues with bouncing and car balance, suggesting teams still have work to do on setup.
- Unexpected Performances: Nico Hulkenberg impressed with the fifth fastest time for Sauber, showing good pace early in the weekend. George Russell and Carlos Sainz also secured spots in the top 10.
What's next:
Teams will now analyze the data collected during FP1, focusing on optimizing setups and addressing any balance or reliability issues. The second practice session, scheduled for 5 PM local time, will be crucial for longer runs and race simulations as drivers and teams prepare for qualifying and the final race of the season.