Russell was the winner of the first practice session, but Mercedes reported a strange problem. Teams sent 10 rookies into action

Formula 1 has its last race of the season this weekend, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Friday’s action kicked off with the first free practice session, with a total of ten rookies taking part. The winner of FP1 was George Russell.

The final race weekend of the season, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, as usual, brings the year to a close. Teams sent ten rookies to the first practice session, with Felipe Drugovich being the best of the bunch in terms of finishing position.

He was called up for the opening practice by Aston Martin. Theo Pourchaire, who is going for the Formula 2 championship title, jumped in for Alfa Romeo. Red Bull fielded two rookies, namely Jake Dennis and Isack Hadjar.

Other drivers who showed up in Friday’s first act were Patricio O’Ward (McLaren), Frederik Vesti (Mercedes), Zak O’Sullivan (Williams), Oliver Bearman (Haas), Robert Schwartzman (Ferrari) and Jack Doohan (Alpine).

It should be noted, however, that the first practice session was not representative in terms of lap times. In any case, the winner was George Russell, who set a time of 1:26.072. Less than three tenths of a second behind him was Aston rookie Martin Drugovich.

Russell wins FP1, but reports a problem on the radio

However, it was the winner Russell who complained in FP1 about the performance of his monopost, which he said on the team radio was “acting strange”, especially in the right-hand corners. It is worth noting that Mercedes will do battle with Ferrari for the final second place in the Constructors’ Cup in Abu Dhabi.

The Silver Arrows have 392 points ahead of the final race, with third-placed Ferrari just four points behind second-placed Mercedes. The battle for the final fourth place could also be interesting. However, McLaren (284 points) should easily hold on to that ahead of fifth-placed Aston Martin (273 points).

The fans also saw some very close and heart-stopping moments in the first practice session. For example, Isack Hadjar narrowly missed Lance Stroll at the very end, while Doohan reported a potential huge accident with Logan Sargeant.

Fortunately, however, all was without collision, so the teams were able to test in the opening act of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix without any interruption. The second practice session is also scheduled for today, Friday 24 November, at 14:00.

Source: F1