The first practice session at the Yas Marina Circuit for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix saw Charles Leclerc rise above early technical challenges to top the timesheets, narrowly ahead of Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton.
Top Performers
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 1:24.321
Despite spending much of the session in the garage due to a battery issue, Leclerc delivered a stunning lap to claim P1. Ferrari is pulling out all the stops as they aim to overturn McLaren’s lead in the Constructors’ Championship. - Lando Norris (McLaren) – +0.221
Norris showed consistent pace across his 24 laps, staying within striking distance of Leclerc. McLaren’s strong showing underlines their intent to secure their first constructors’ crown since 1998. - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) – +0.485
Hamilton looked competitive, keeping the gap to the top two under half a second. His Mercedes team is focusing on maximizing their performance to end the season on a high.
Notable Highlights
- Franco Colapinto impressed with P7 in his Williams, only 1.061 seconds off Leclerc, showcasing promise in his FP1 outing.
- Felipe Drugovich continued to shine for Aston Martin, finishing inside the top 10 with P9, reinforcing his potential for a future full-time seat.
- Arthur Leclerc, making his debut for Ferrari, ended in P18, 1.858 seconds behind his elder brother Charles. It was a historic moment for the Leclerc family, marking the first time two brothers have participated in the same session for Ferrari.
Midfield Battle
- Nico Hulkenberg (Haas) and Pierre Gasly (Alpine) both delivered competitive laps, finishing P6 and P5 respectively, less than a second off the lead.
- Sergio Perez (Red Bull Racing) continued to struggle, placing P10 and over a second behind the leaders. This highlights Red Bull’s unusual lack of pace during FP1.
Rookies and Young Drivers
- Liam Lawson (RB) and Isack Hadjar (Red Bull Racing) clocked solid laps, finishing P12 and P15 respectively.
- Jack Doohan (Alpine) managed a respectable P19, gaining valuable track time and finishing within two seconds of the leader.
- Luke Browning (Williams) rounded out the standings in P20, 2.198 seconds off Leclerc but showing promise in his first F1 outing.
Key Takeaway
Ferrari and McLaren are locked in a high-stakes battle for the constructors’ title, and FP1 has set the tone for a thrilling weekend. While Leclerc’s top performance gives Ferrari a glimmer of hope, McLaren’s consistent form with Norris ensures this fight will go down to the wire. Meanwhile, the young guns made a strong impression, highlighting the bright future of Formula 1.
Pos | Driver | Team | Best |
1 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 1:24.321 |
2 | Lando Norris | McLaren | 1:24.542 |
3 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | 1:24.806 |
4 | George Russell | Mercedes | 1:25.165 |
5 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine | 1:25.333 |
6 | Nico Hulkenberg | Haas | 1:25.373 |
7 | Franco Colapinto | Williams | 1:25.382 |
8 | Kevin Magnussen | Haas | 1:25.444 |
9 | Felipe Drugovich | Aston Martin | 1:25.471 |
10 | Sergio Perez | Red Bull Racing | 1:25.483 |
11 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | 1:25.504 |
12 | Liam Lawson | RB | 1:25.563 |
13 | Valtteri Bottas | Sauber | 1:25.611 |
14 | Ryo Hirakawa | McLaren | 1:25.874 |
15 | Isack Hadjar | Red Bull Racing | 1:25.877 |
16 | Zhou Guanyu | Sauber | 1:25.921 |
17 | Ayumu Iwasa | RB | 1:26.121 |
18 | Arthur Leclerc | Ferrari | 1:26.179 |
19 | Jack Doohan | Alpine | 1:26.304 |
20 | Luke Browning | Williams | 1:26.519 |