Source – sotorcycle Sports
In a practice session that included several rookies, Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc set the pace from Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton, and he went fastest in the lead-up to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. However, because of problems at the beginning of the session, Leclerc appears to be facing a grid penalty for Sunday’s race and will have to take on a new Energy Store.
The Yas Marina Circuit roared to life as the final Formula 1 practice session of the year began under the radiant Abu Dhabi sun, setting the stage for a weekend packed with anticipation, high stakes, and a splash of history. With six teams opting to field young drivers, the grid was a fascinating mix of seasoned veterans and rookies eager to make their mark on the grandest stage.
Among the newcomers, Ryo Hirakawa, Arthur Leclerc, Isack Hadjar, Felipe Drugovich, Ayumu Iwasa, and Luke Browning took the spotlight, stepping in for their more experienced counterparts. Their inclusion sidelined stars like Oscar Piastri, Carlos Sainz, Max Verstappen, Lance Stroll, Yuki Tsunoda, and Alex Albon, giving the future stars a rare opportunity to shine. As the young guns prepared for their moment, Fernando Alonso, ever the stalwart, was the first to break the silence, leading the charge for Aston Martin.
Drama unfolded early in the session as Isack Hadjar, the French F2 title contender, spun his Red Bull at Turn 6. He reported clearance issues, complaining that his legs were pressing against the cockpit, which hindered his control. While Hadjar wrestled with his car, Ferrari faced their own troubles. Charles Leclerc’s car was taken apart in the garage as engineers scrambled to address a suspected battery issue. This delay kept him off the track, postponing the historic moment when he and his brother Arthur would become the first siblings to run as teammates in an F1 session.
Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton dominated the opening stages, setting the early benchmark with a time of 1:25.566. He led a Mercedes one-two, with George Russell following closely behind. However, controversy simmered as Lando Norris voiced frustration over being impeded by Hamilton. The stewards confirmed an investigation into the incident, adding a layer of intrigue to an already compelling session.
As the session neared its midpoint, Ferrari resolved Charles Leclerc’s issues, finally allowing the elder Leclerc to join his brother on the track. Yet, frustrations boiled over for Hadjar, who lamented that a Williams had “destroyed” his flying lap. Amidst the chaos, Norris surged ahead, clocking a stunning 1:24.542 to top the timesheets and underline McLaren’s ambitions for their first constructors’ title since 1998.
In the closing minutes, Charles Leclerc mounted a remarkable recovery, overcoming his delayed start to snatch the top spot with a blistering 1:24.321, finishing 0.221 seconds clear of Norris. Hamilton settled into third, marking an emotional penultimate session in his final weekend as a Mercedes driver. Russell secured fourth, while Pierre Gasly impressed with a fifth-place finish for Alpine, continuing his strong late-season form.
The Haas duo of Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen delivered solid performances, finishing sixth and ninth, respectively, while Franco Colapinto’s efforts earned Williams an encouraging seventh. Felipe Drugovich showcased his potential in the Aston Martin, securing a commendable tenth place, while Sergio Perez wrapped up the top 10 for Red Bull.
Just outside the leading pack, Fernando Alonso finished 11th, demonstrating his usual grit, while Liam Lawson placed 12th for RB, and Valtteri Bottas, in his farewell outing for Kick Sauber, settled for 13th. Hirakawa, filling in for McLaren, claimed 14th, with Hadjar rebounding to 15th despite his earlier challenges.
The latter half of the grid was populated by Zhou Guanyu in 16th, flanked by rookies Ayumu Iwasa and Arthur Leclerc. Alpine’s Jack Doohan, making an early debut ahead of his full-time entry in 2025, slotted into 19th, while F2 champion Luke Browning concluded the session in 20th for Williams.
As the checkered flag fell, the paddock buzzed with anticipation. Teams and drivers now turn their focus to analyzing data ahead of the second practice session, scheduled to kick off under the mesmerizing Abu Dhabi twilight. The stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to the season, with rookies, veterans, and constructors all vying to leave a lasting impression.
