Max Verstappen make the ideal start to this championship-deciding weekend as he led Practice 1 at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Friday.
As drivers got to grips with the revised Yas Marina Circuit layout, the Dutchman led largely throughout the first hour of running, improving with each lap to finish with a 1m25.009s.
That put Verstappen just under two-tenths ahead of Valtteri Bottas in second, who was a further tenth clear of teammate Lewis Hamilton in third.
?? W12 soaking up that Abu Dhabi sunshine before we switch on the floodlights for FP2. pic.twitter.com/VrCL3l8qyT
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) December 10, 2021
Reassuringly for Red Bull, Sergio Perez was also in the battle from the start, claiming fourth, just 0.008s behind Hamilton.
Yuki Tsunoda also almost matched the Mexican in fifth as he continued his strong late-season pace ahead of Fernando Alonso and Pierre Gasly in the second AlphaTauri in seventh.
Charles Leclerc was the lead of the two Ferrari’s in eighth and ninth as Sebastian Vettel completed the top 10 in the Aston Martin.
Esteban Ocon followed in 11th with the two McLarens making a steady start in 12th and 16th for Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo respectively.
We’re going to miss you Kimi ?
The Iceman’s final FP1 practice session of his career, and a cool shot of @alfaromeoracing‘s livery tribute!
“Dear Kimi, we will leave you alone now” ?#F1 ?? #AbuDhabiGP pic.twitter.com/68f2h0qsSM
— Formula 1 (@F1) December 10, 2021
Antonio Giovinazzi led teammate Kimi Raikkonen in 13th and 14th, this after the Finn had a spin at the new sweeping Turn 9 after the second back straight.
Williams reserve Jack Aitken fractionally led race driver Nicholas Latifi in 17th and 18th, as the two Haas’ once again brought up the field with Mick Schumacher 0.6s clear of Nikita Mazepin.
Full results from Practice 1 can be seen below:
