Mercedes star George Russell quickest in opening practice for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with one of TEN rookies finishing second… as Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton are among those to sit out the session
- Russell finished 0.288 sec clear of Aston Martin stand-in Felipe Drugovich
- Hamilton, Verstappen, Lando Norris and Fernando Alonso missed the session
- Ten rookies took part in first practice, including three British junior stars
George Russell finished fastest in opening practice for the concluding round of the Formula One season in Abu Dhabi.
Triple world champion Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton sat out the first running with 10 rookie drivers blooded at the Yas Marina Circuit.
Three Britons were among them with Zak O’Sullivan, 18, and Jake Dennis, 28, making their Formula One weekend debuts for Williams and Red Bull respectively.
Ollie Bearman, 18, who in Mexico made history by becoming the youngest British debutant at a Grand Prix, was handed his second practice appearance by Haas.
Dennis, in a Red Bull machine which Hamilton has described as the fastest ever seen in Formula One, finished 16th of the 20 runners, 1.1 seconds off the pace.
George Russell finished quickest in his Mercedes in opening practice, on a weekend where they will look to secure second in the constructors’ championship ahead of rivals Ferrari
Ten rookies took part in the session with Brazilian Felipe Drugovich impressing in second
Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton were among the big-hitters to sit out the opening session
Abu Dhabi FP1 results
1. George Russell – Mercedes
2. Felipe Drugovich (R) – Aston Martin
3. Daniel Ricciardo – AlphaTauri
4. Valtteri Bottas – Alfa Romeo
5. Lance Stroll – Aston Martin
6. Oscar Piastri – McLaren
7. Carlos Sainz – Ferrari
8. Robert Shwartzmann (R) – Ferrari
9. Pierre Gasly – Alpine
10. Yuki Tsunoda – AlphaTauri
11. Logan Sargeant – Williams
12. Frederik Vesti (R) – Mercedes
13. Jack Doohan (R) – Alpine
14. Theo Pourchaire (R) – Alfa Romeo
15. Patricio O’Ward (R) – McLaren
16. Jake Dennis (R) – Red Bull
17. Isack Hadjar (R) – Red Bull
18. Zak O’Sullivan (R) – Williams
19. Kevin Magnussen – Haas
20. Oliver Bearman (R) – Haas
O’Sullivan was 18th – seven tenths behind Williams’ Logan Sargeant – with Bearman 20th and last, albeit only a tenth slower than Kevin Magnussen in the other Haas.
Mercedes are facing up to ending the season without a single victory – the first time that has happened in 12 years.
But the troubled Silver Arrows will take some confidence from ending the opening running at the top of the order.
Russell finished 0.288 sec clear of Aston Martin stand-in Felipe Drugovich – who finished highest of the substitute drivers – with Daniel Ricciardo third for AlphaTauri.
Valtteri Bottas was fourth in his Alfa Romeo, ahead of Lance Stroll and Oscar Piastri.
The day’s concluding session – which will see the return of Verstappen, Hamilton and McLaren’s Lando Norris – gets under way at 5pm local time
Zak O’Sullivan – who finished second in the F3 championship – made his F1 debut with Williams
Jake Dennis, who won the last Formula E championship, filled in for Verstappen at Red Bull
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