Isack Hadjar steps in for Max during FP1 in Abu Dhabi

Published on 06 December 2024 by Misha van der Kroon

Max Verstappen did not take part in the first free practice session for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Red Bull junior Isack Hadjar stepped into his RB20, setting the 15th fastest time. Charles Leclerc topped the timesheets, with Lando Norris in third for McLaren and Lewis Hamilton securing P3. George Russell and Pierre Gasly rounded out the top five in Abu Dhabi.

When the session begins, temperatures in Abu Dhabi are high, 28°C, with track temperatures reaching 42°C. These conditions, however, are not reflective of the race, which will take place later in the day on Sunday. Several cars are fitted with aero rakes, to provide the teams with the necessary data. The session also features several new faces and some familiar names. Arthur Leclerc, one of many rookies in action, joins the field in the Ferrari of Carlos Sainz. A historic moment, as Charles and Arthur Leclerc become the first brothers to drive for the same team in an official Formula 1 session. Max hands over his RB20 to Isack Hadjar. The French-Algerian F2 driver has a brief spin at Turn 6, reports "zero efficiency" after the incident but continues without issue.

Oscar Piastri also watches FP1 from the garage, as Japanese driver Ryo Hirakawa takes over his McLaren. At Aston Martin, Felipe Drugovich steps into Lance Stroll’s seat, while Ayumu Iwasa temporarily replaces fellow Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda in the RB. Over at Williams, Luke Browning makes his debut in Alexander Albon’s car. Jack Doohan is driving the Alpine of Esteban Ocon, who is absent the entire weekend to prepare for his post-season test with Haas.

Early in the session, George Russell, Lewis Hamilton, and Lando Norris trade fastest times. An incident between Norris and Hamilton, where Hamilton allegedly impeded Norris in the final corner, is under investigation and will be reviewed post-session. At the halfway mark, Hamilton leads with a 1:25.566, followed closely by Russell, just 0.005 seconds behind. Norris is in third, with Gasly and Perez completing the top five. Only halfway through the session, Charles Leclerc joins the field after a possible battery issue that kept his Ferrari in the garage.

Norris then takes the top spot with a 1:24.542 on soft tires. Among the rookies, Hadjar is the only one to break into the top ten. The Red Bull junior sits in eighth place, with half of the session still to go. Hirakawa then has still not set a time on the clocks. On his first lap, he clocks a time good enough for P19, just ahead of Arthur Leclerc. In the final ten minutes, Charles Leclerc pushes his Ferrari and clocks a 1:24.321, claiming P1. Norris ends the session in second, with Hamilton in P3. Russell and Gasly completed the top five.

Contest Abu Dhabi GP: win a by Max Verstappen signed Red Bull Racing cap!

Results first free practice Abu-dhabi: