FP1: Bottas 0.5s ahead, Vettel hits the wall

  • Published on 29 Nov 2019 11:31
  • comments 0
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Valtteri Bottas has ended the opening practice session of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend on top of the timesheets, setting a 1:36.957.

The session ended under a red flag as Sebastian Vettel hit the barrier at the exit of Turn 14, losing the rear as he turned in and breaking his left rear suspension.

It marked the second red flag of the session as Daniel Ricciardo was forced to pull over as he rounded the final corner due to an engine failure. 

Renault has since confirmed that the engine that gave up on the Australian was a Friday power unit, and no penalties are expected for Sunday's race.

Bottas' fastest lap was set on the medium compound tyre, while Max Verstappen, who was half a second down on the Finn, completed his best time on the soft compound.

However, with qualifying and the race to be held in much cooler temperatures due to the later time in the day, the session is quite unrepresentative for the teams.

Lewis Hamilton was third in the second Mercedes, posting a time that was over six-tenths down on his teammate. 

Fourth saw Alexander Albon, who arrives in the Middle-East looking for redempetion following his missed podium in Brazil two weeks ago.

Vettel's time was enough to see him claim fifth in the timesheets. The German was a late arrival to the Yas Marina Circuit this weekend, as he attended the birth of his third child. 

Behind Vettel came Romain Grosjean, who sneaked ahead of Charles Leclerc for sixth place by one-tenth of a second.

Despite it only being FP1 and in unrepresentative conditions, Haas will be encouraged by its early pace, as Kevin Magnussen was eighth in the second car.

Following Magnussen was Antonio Giovinazzi, while Nico Hulkenberg, who is starting his last race for Renault this weekend, rounded out the top ten.

George Russell rounded out the timesheet, but Williams is monitoring his situation this weekend, as he is feeling ill ahead of the final race of the season.

F1Grand Prix United Arab Emirates - Free practice 1

AE Yas Marina Circuit - 29 November 2019

Replies (0)

Login to reply

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
-
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
-
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Sauber
  • Points 1,608
  • Podiums 61
  • Grand Prix 206
  • Country FI
  • Date of b. Aug 28 1989 (35)
  • Place of b. Nastola, FI
  • Weight 70 kg
  • Length 1.73 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar