Formula 1 Racing

F1 Live: 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix first practice

Ryo Hirakawa, McLaren, Yas Marina, 2024

This session has finished. No further updates will be posted.

That concludes our coverage of first practice – here’s the full report and times.

The chequered flag falls with Charles Leclerc fastest on a 1’24.231, two-tenths up on Lando Norris, followed by the Mercedes pair and Gasly. Of the rookies, Drugovich is ninth – three hundredths of a second faster than Fernando Alonso – Hirakawa 14th, Hadjar 15th, Iwasa 16th, Arthur Leclerc 18th and Browning 20th.

Good news for Gasly – he’s not under investigation. He’s fifth fastest at the moment, a second off the pace.

Pierre Gasly has been noted for failing to slow for a single yellow flag.

Charles Leclerc jumps up to the top of the times with a 1’34.321.

Norris is down to a 1’24.542 at the top of the times. Hirakawa in the other car hasn’t done a particularly representative time yet, he’s 19th on a 1’27.354.

Race control say Browning has been shown the black-and-white flag, which is unsporting conduct. It’s not clear why yet.

Russell: Whatever it is I’m not liking these brakes. Even coming into the box I’m not feeling the normal deceleration.”

We finally have both Leclerc drivers circulating as Charles has made it out of the pits to join his brother on the track.

“The Williams destroyed me in the chicane,” complains Hadjar, who is irritated by his Formula 2 rival Luke Browning.

Hamilton goes quickest with a 1’25.566 which is just five thousandths of a second quicker than Russell. Norris is third and Sergio Perez is up in fourth. Colapinto a strong fifth so far for Williams.

Williams have exceeded the maximum number of gearbox components on both their cars so Alexander Albon and Franco Colapinto will have grid penalties on Sunday.

Liam Lawson, who could be in his last weekend as an RB driver before moving to Red Bull if rumours are to be believed, is ninth so far. “I still feel like I’ve got poor efficiency on brakes,” he reports. “For me it’s turn five and turn six, so it can’t be wind.”

Hamilton briefly makes it a Mercedes one-two, then Norris beats the pair of them with a 1’25.710.

Norris: “The radio is still shit compared to normal. Too much crackling and you’re not very clear.”

The stewards have noted Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris for a potential impeding incident.

Russell may be fastest but he’s not entirely happy with his car, complaining he’s having difficulty in the braking zone.

Hadjar says “everything is fine with the car…

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