Abu Dhabi – Free Practice 1: Vettel and Ferrari set the pace

The last Grand Prix of the season has started on the Yas Marina track in Abu Dhabi. This first session takes place under the sun, in daylight, which will contrast with the qualifying and race conditions taking place on Saturday and Sunday at night.

At Force India, George Russell took Esteban Ocon’s place for this session, just like Antonio Giovinazzi who stepped into Kevin Magnussen’s Haas.

From the very first laps, the Mercedes take the lead by setting the only two times in the first quarter hour of the session. Lewis Hamilton with 1:41.659 easily outpaces Valtteri Bottas by more than a second for lap times that are, of course, not yet significant.

Daniel Ricciardo in his Red Bull and then Kimi Räikkönen in the Ferrari each take the best time, but the Mercedes are quick to reclaim their positions, with Hamilton setting the benchmark at 1.39.126, followed by Bottas and the two Ferraris of Räikkönen and Sebastian Vettel. Max Verstappen’s Red Bull follows, at a respectable distance from the Ferraris, but still more than a second off the best time of the British world champion.

Following in the Top 10 at mid-session are Sergio Pérez in the Force India, Ricciardo, Stoffel Vandoorne in his McLaren, Felipe Massa, for whom this is the last Grand Prix, and Hülkenberg in the Renault.

Antonio Giovinazzi continues his difficult Formula 1 learning process by making ample use of the asphalt offered to drivers outside the corners. Just like George Russell, who wonders why his rear end is loose…

📻 “Could you let me know why we lost the rear – I may have clipped the kerb”@ForceIndiaF1 have the answer – a tailwind forces Russell wide#AbuDhabiGP 🇦🇪 #F1Finale #FP1 pic.twitter.com/lZlD1Eedsw

— Formula 1 (@F1) 24 novembre 2017

In the last half hour, the standings have changed at the top of the timesheet as Verstappen manages to lift his RB12 to 2nd place, between the two Mercedes, only 28 thousandths behind Hamilton. At the same time, Romain Grosjean manages to break into the Top 10 by securing an encouraging 9th place.

Except for the two Renaults of Hülkenberg and Carlos Sainz, all the drivers have now set a time on Ultra Soft tires, the softest compound brought by Pirelli this weekend, which seems to be favored by the teams.

Fifteen minutes before the end, Sebastian Vettel improves his time to 1:39.006 and takes the first place on the leaderboard. His teammate Räikkönen, meanwhile, is in 4th place, half a second behind the German.

Carlos Sainz set foot on the ground 10 minutes before the end of the session. The Spanish driver will undergo an engine change for the second free practice session this afternoon, and his mechanics will start working on his car to allow him to get back on track in time.

And that’s the session done for Carlos. Planned engine change for his car ahead of FP2; which takes time! #AbuDhabiGP #FP1 pic.twitter.com/rLptmnyWDv

— Renault Sport F1 (@RenaultSportF1) 24 novembre 2017

Romain Grosjean makes a mistake in turn 19 and sends his Haas into the barriers backwards. The Frenchman is still able to get going again and return to his pit.

In the final minutes, Valtteri Bottas will test the Halo on his Mercedes. Times are not improving except for Fernando Alonso, an excellent 7th, and Lance Stroll who places his Williams in 13th position, leaving the last place in the standings to Brandon Hartley’s Toro Rosso.

The complete classification of FP1:

Final timing screen for #FP1 at the #AbuDhabiGP 👇 pic.twitter.com/MB96jnmCgV

— Renault Sport F1 (@RenaultSportF1) 24 novembre 2017