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<strong>FP1:</strong> Vettel leads Leclerc after first practice

FP1: Vettel leads Leclerc after first practice

Published on 30 Aug 2019 12:31
2
By: Fergal Walsh

Sebastian Vettel has topped the opening practice session of the Belgian Grand Prix weekend, leading teammate Charles Leclerc by two-tenths of a second.

The Italian squad is going in search of its first victory of the season, as it was this event 12 months ago where Vettel picked up his last win.

It was not a smooth session for Lewis Hamilton, who missed out on a lot of running following an issue with his throttle pedal, which occurred on the circuit.

The Briton was coasting through the middle sector before he found power once more to return to the pits, where he stayed for almost an hour.

However, he was able to get back out onto the circuit and end the session in sixth, behind teammate Valtteri Bottas and 1.3 seconds down on Vettel.

Both Red Bulls were third and fourth, with Max Verstappen leading his new teammate Alexander Albon, who makes his debut with the energy drink squad this weekend.

Just one-tenth split the duo, as the team looks to continue its strong run of momentum that it picked up towards the end of the first half of the season.

Lance Stroll was an impressive seventh for Racing Point, however he had issues during the session as the right side of his engine cover blew off, exposing the Mercedes engine underneath.

A virtual safety car was deployed while the debris was cleared up along the Kemmel Straight.

The second Racing Point of Sergio Perez was also inside the top ten, as the Mexican slotted into ninth, with Daniel Ricciardo sandwiched between the two pink cars.

Carlos Sainz rounded out the top ten for McLaren, while behind him, Nico Hulkenberg and Lando Norris found themselves separated by 0.001s at the end of the ninety-minute session.

F1Grand Prix Belgium - Free practice 1

Spa-Francorchamps - 30 August 2019

Driver

Team

Time

Difference

#
1

Sebastian Vettel

Ferrari

1:44.574

20
2

Charles Leclerc

Ferrari

1:44.788

+0.214

20
3

Max Verstappen

Red Bull Racing

1:45.507

+0.933

18
4

Alexander Albon

Red Bull Racing

1:45.584

+1.010

19
5

Valtteri Bottas

Mercedes

1:45.882

+1.308

25
6

Lewis Hamilton

Mercedes

1:45.973

+1.399

16
7

Lance Stroll

Racing Point

1:46.198

+1.624

16
8

Daniel Ricciardo

Renault

1:46.426

+1.852

23
9

Sergio Perez

Racing Point

1:46.433

+1.859

22
10

Carlos Sainz jr

McLaren

1:46.557

+1.983

20
11

Nico Hülkenberg

Renault

1:46.669

+2.095

23
12

Lando Norris

McLaren

1:46.670

+2.096

19
13

Kimi Räikkönen

Alfa Romeo Racing

1:47.024

+2.450

20
14

Romain Grosjean

Haas F1

1:47.176

+2.602

18
15

Antonio Giovinazzi

Alfa Romeo Racing

1:47.333

+2.759

22
16

Kevin Magnussen

Haas F1

1:47.488

+2.914

21
17

Daniil Kvyat

Toro Rosso

1:47.636

+3.062

20
18

Pierre Gasly

Toro Rosso

1:47.968

+3.394

26
19

Nicholas Latifi

Williams

1:48.784

+4.210

24
20

Robert Kubica

Williams

1:48.966

+4.392

24

Kean

Posts: 692

So far so good for Albon. Good for him.

1
Aug 30 2019 - 13:50

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Replies (2)

Kean

Posts: 692
So far so good for Albon. Good for him.
- + 1
- Aug 30 2019 - 13:50
calle.itw

Posts: 8,527
Indeed, that's a pretty decent start for Albon. And Merc' is sandbagging, methinks.
- + 0
- Aug 30 2019 - 16:25