Max quickest in Abu Dhabi FP1

Published on 11 December 2020 by Stefan Meens

Max Verstappen started the final Grand Prix of the 2020 season with the fastest time in the opening practice session. The Aston Martin Red Bull Racing driver lapped the Yas Marina Circuit quickest, ahead of Valtteri Bottas’ Mercedes and Esteban Ocon’s Renault. Max’ team mate Alexander Albon clocked the fourth fastest time, ahead of Lewis Hamilton, who returned to Mercedes after having missed the previous Grand Prix due to a positive covid-19 test.

At Haas, Pietro Fittipaldi once again replaces the injured Romain Grosjean, whilst his team mate, Kevin Magnussen, has given his car to newly crowned F2 champion Mick Schumacher. The German will drive in FP1 before handing the wheel back to the Dane, who will contest his last Grand Prix.

Another driver making solely an FP1 appearance is Robert Kubica. The Pole drives the Alfa Romeo instead of Antonio Giovinazzi. Meanwhile, At Williams, it is back to normal with George Russell back in the cockpit. Therefore Jack Aitken is demoted to the side-lines.

After the usual flurry of installation laps at the start of the session, it is quiet on the circuit, most likely because the track conditions will not match those in qualifying and the race.

Nevertheless, there is a short virtual safety car when Daniel Ricciardo is forced to park his Renault at the side of the track.

After half a hour, Max climbs to P1 after setting his lap on a set of the hard compound. Soon after, Bottas, armed with the softs, takes the lead.

With over half an hour to go, Max takes to the track on a set of soft Pirelli tyres. After a purple first sector, a lost tenth in sector 2 and another rapid final sector, Max clocks the quickest time of the session (1:37.378).

In an attempt to topple Max at the top of the leader board, Alex Albon spins on his first run on the soft tyres. The Red Bull driver continues without damage, but his tyres have taken a beating.

In the closing stages, it is busy out on track, but the increased activity does not lead to any position changes, meaning that Max is the quickest man on Friday morning.

Contest Abu Dhabi GP: win a by Max signed cap or a 1:43 scale model!

Results first free practice Abu-dhabi: