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The opening practice session for the F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was a showcase of emerging talent, with ten drivers making way for rookies to get their chance behind the wheel. The only exception was AlphaTauri, which had its regular drivers, Yuki Tsunoda and Daniel Ricciardo, still sporting their eye-catching Las Vegas-themed livery on the AT04s.
For Red Bull Racing to fulfill this requirement, both Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez graciously stepped aside. In their place, the 2023 Formula E world champion and Red Bull development driver, Jake Dennis, along with the promising Isack Hadjar, took over the controls of the RB19s for the opening hour of the weekend’s running at the season finale.
However, it was George Russell, the young sensation driving for Mercedes, who dominated the early stages of the session. Russell swiftly lowered the benchmark time from Lance Stroll’s initial 1m31.035s, set on the medium tires, to a scorching 1m26.313s just into the session’s second quarter. He achieved this with a series of impressive improvements, punctuated by a visit to the pits.
As the session progressed, numerous cars, including those of Robert Shwartzman and Felipe Drugovich in the Ferrari and Aston Martin respectively, were equipped with giant aerodynamic measuring rakes. This equipment was used by teams to evaluate various components in preparation for the 2024 campaign.
Just before the halfway mark, Russell pushed the boundaries even further, posting a remarkable 1m26.081s on the soft tires. However, a heart-stopping moment occurred when Mick Doohan, driving Esteban Ocon’s Alpine, and Logan Sargeant nearly collided at the penultimate corner. Doohan was hurtling through the double right complex that concludes the Yas Marina lap, while Sargeant was carefully preparing for his next flying lap. It was a close call, and race officials will be investigating the incident after the session.
Towards the end of the session, there was another intense moment as Hadjar and Stroll had a close encounter at the end of the track’s first long straight. The Red Bull junior driver had to make a quick maneuver to avoid colliding with the Aston Martin approaching the Turns 6 and 7 chicane.
Russell continued to shine, improving his best time to a 1m26.072s as the session approached its final third. This time, he just managed to go slightly quicker with a last-gasp improvement in the final sector. This time remained unchallenged as the session’s best, with Drugovich finishing second, followed by Ricciardo, Valtteri Bottas, and Stroll.
The top ten was rounded out by Oscar Piastri, Carlos Sainz, Robert Shwartzman, Pierre Gasly, and Yuki Tsunoda.
Notably, several drivers experienced heart-pounding moments as they exited the final corner. Keeping the soft tires in optimal condition over a full lap at this track proved to be a daunting challenge. Some of the drivers who grappled with this issue included Carlos Sainz, Lance Stroll, Williams junior Zak O’Sullivan, and McLaren F1 reserve and IndyCar racer Pato O’Ward.
Another significant aspect of the session was the cars bottoming out on the track, particularly in the fast, flowing opening corners. Drivers like Robert Shwartzman and Theo Pourchaire, standing in for Zhou Guanyu at Alfa Romeo, had close calls as their cars scraped the ground. McLaren even informed Oscar Piastri that this phenomenon was affecting their cars as well.
Teams also utilized the opening session to fine-tune their ride height settings on a track that had undergone resurfacing at Turns 6, 7, 10, and 11.
The session concluded with a test of the new rain light warning systems on the rear of the cars, ensuring that safety remains a top priority as the young and talented drivers prepare for the challenges ahead in the F1 world.
George Russell’s impressive performance in this rookie-filled practice session sets the stage for an exciting weekend of racing at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, as the next generation of Formula 1 stars makes their mark on the sport.
I hope you find this article engaging and informative for your youth audience of sports, music, cinema, and technology enthusiasts. If you need any further details or have specific angles you’d like to explore, please feel free to ask!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about George Russell
Q: Who were the standout drivers in the F1 Abu Dhabi GP practice session?
A: George Russell, representing Mercedes, stood out by dominating the practice session, showcasing his exceptional racing skills.
Q: Were there any noteworthy incidents during the practice session?
A: Yes, there was a near-collision between Mick Doohan and Logan Sargeant, adding suspense and drama to the session. Race officials will investigate this incident.
Q: How did other teams utilize the practice session?
A: Many teams used the session to evaluate various components and aerodynamic setups, gearing up for the 2024 campaign. Some cars had aerodynamic measuring rakes, while others worked on ride height settings.
Q: Which teams and drivers secured the top positions in the practice session?
A: George Russell led the pack, followed by Felipe Drugovich, Daniel Ricciardo, Valtteri Bottas, and Lance Stroll, rounding out the top five positions.
Q: What challenges did drivers face during the practice session?
A: Drivers grappled with the difficulty of keeping soft tires in optimal condition over a full lap at this challenging track. Bottoming out on certain corners was also a significant challenge.
Q: What safety measures were tested at the end of the session?
A: The session concluded with a test of new rain light warning systems on the rear of the cars, emphasizing safety in Formula 1 racing.
More about George Russell
- Formula 1 Official Website
- Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
- George Russell Profile
- Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team
- 2023 Formula E World Champion
- Red Bull Racing
- Yas Marina Circuit
- Ferrari Formula 1 Team
- Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One™ Team
- Alfa Romeo Racing
- McLaren Formula 1 Team
- AlphaTauri Formula 1 Team
- Red Bull Junior Team
- Williams Racing
- Haas F1 Team
- Jake Dennis
- Isack Hadjar
- Mick Doohan
- Logan Sargeant
- Zak O’Sullivan
- Pato O’Ward
- Theo Pourchaire
- McLaren Formula 1 Reserve Drivers
- 2024 Formula 1 Season
- Formula 1 Safety Measures
- Formula 1 Rain Light Warning Systems
