Leclerc tops FP1 in a much changed session in Abu Dhabi
Breaking News
Charles Leclerc topped the timesheets in FP1 after spending a portion of the first session in the garage at the season finale in Abu Dhabi. Lando Norris sits in second place, with Lewis Hamilton in third in the last FP1 session of the year at the Yas Marina Circuit. It's the perfect start for Ferrari, who are battling McLaren for the constructors title this weekend. Unfortunately for the Italian team, Charles Leclerc will take a 10-place grid penalty after having to change the battery pack on his SF-24.
As FP1 happened:
Cars came out onto the Yas Marina Circuit for the first time this weekend to log some laps, collect data and prepare for the season finale. A few cars, including Ryo Hirakawa's McLaren, came out onto the circuit with aero rakes. There were six driver changes in the session, including the Japanese driver for McLaren.
Charles Leclerc suffered from a battery issue at the start of the session, cutting running short in an important session for Ferrari. The floor of the Monegasque's SF-24 was removed in the garage, as the only thing Charles could do was wait tentatively. With just over half the session to go, Leclerc managed to make history after getting on track alongside his brother, Arthur, who replaced Carlos Sainz in the session. Lando Norris had a scary moment behind Lewis Hamilton in the early phase of FP1. He nearly ran into the back of the seven-time world champion at the final corner, locking up in the process. Both continued on in the session without any more incidents.
F2 championship challenger Isack Hadjar, who replaced Max Verstappen in FP1, span on track after an issue with steering wheel clearance. He managed to keep the car going and spent the rest of the session logging laps for Red Bull, but it was by no means smooth sailing. The Frenchman swore on the radio multiple times after he was impeded by young Brit Luke Browining in the Williams.
It was Leclerc who set the best lap of the session on the soft, just over two-tenths faster than his closest rival, Lando Norris. The session will provide Ferrari with a confidence boost heading into a crucial weekend for the Italian team as they search for their first constructors title since 2008. They unfortunately have to counter a 10-place grid penalty from a battery pack change, so will need to squeeze even more pace out of their package this weekend.
What driver changes were there in FP1?
2024 world champion Max Verstappen was replaced by Red Bull junior Isack Hadjar. The Frenchman is fighting for the F2 title this weekend with 2025 Sauber driver Gabriel Bortoleto. Arthur Leclerc replaced Carlos Sainz at Ferrari, making it the first session in F1 history where two brothers have driven as teammates.
Furthermore, McLaren reserve driver and Toyota hypercar driver Ryo Hirakawa replaced Oscar Piastri, former Formula 2 champion Felipe Drugovich stepped into Lance Stroll's Aston Martin and Ayumu Iwasa replaced fellow countryman Yuki Tsunoda at VCARB. Finally, young Brit Luke Browning took Alexander Albon's place in the Williams.
Want more Formula 1? Then follow GPblog on our various social media channels!