Russell begins leading Abu Dhabi GP in youth-filled session

A week ago, the drivers were making their debut at the new track in Las Vegas. Then, this Friday, on the other side of the world, the team began accelerating at the Yas Marina Circuit, the last Grand Prix of the season (22nd of this year). Not everyone wears a helmet. In fact, it’s only half. Ten of them had to give up their seats to younger drivers (those who have not competed in more than two GPs) in order to comply with FIA regulations aimed at guaranteeing new drivers participation in official sessions. Ta.

Max Verstappen will not drive and will be replaced by Izak Hajar, Sergio Czech Perez (Jake Dennis), Lewis Hamilton (Frederick Vesti), Fernando Alonso (Felipe Dolgovic) and Charles Leclerc (Robert Schwartz). Man) and Esteban Ocon (Jack Doohan) participated. Lando Norris (Pato O’Ward), Teo Pulceale, Nico Hulkenberg (Oliver Bearman), Alexander Albon (Zac O’Sullivan). So the times were still not very representative on a track that was still very dirty and had a lot of room for improvement.

In free practice 1, George Russell started first with a time of 1 minute 26.072 seconds, with Alonso’s replacement Felipe Drugovic second with a time of 0.288 seconds. In fact, Aston Martin had a good start with two drivers finishing in the top five as Lance Stroll was fifth with a 0.559, third place was Ricciardo from AlphaTauri, who made a big step forward in this final race and took fourth place. In second place was Valtteri Bottas. Alfa Romeo was 0.381 seconds behind its best time. In Abu Dhabi, Piastri in the promising McLaren was 6th, Sainz was 7th with a score of 0.604, and the young Schwartzman in Leclerc’s Ferrari was 8th.

This track shouldn’t be as favorable for Ferrari as Las Vegas, but it’s also not the worst track for the red car. The Maranello team is battling for second place in the Constructors’ World Championship with Mercedes, just four points behind the Brackley team. That will be the main battle this weekend. In addition to the battle for fourth place between McLaren and Aston Martin (11 points apart) and the battle for fourth place between the drivers, Alonso and Sainz will be tied on 200 points, Norris fifth and Leclerc on 200 points. 12. And before all of that, Red Bull is the big favorite.

At this point it is too early to draw any conclusions about the car’s performance in this top chase battle. To get a clearer picture of race pace and some of the lap-by-lap strength of each driver under the lights of Abu Dhabi, we will have to wait for Free Practice 2 with all the official drivers behind the wheel.