INKA Sports reports: First practice for the 2024 Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix took place at Yas Marina on 6 December. At the season finale, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc topped the times with a 1:24.321, ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris by 0.221 seconds. Lewis Hamilton, preparing to move to Ferrari, was third, 0.485 seconds off the pace.
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FP1 at the final round has traditionally offered young drivers a chance to show their ability, and seven rookies took part on this occasion. Ryo Hirakawa made his FP1 debut for McLaren in 14th, 1.553 seconds behind, while Ayumu Iwasa drove for RB and finished 17th at 1.800 seconds. Felipe Drugovich impressed in ninth for Aston Martin, 0.033 seconds quicker than team-mate Fernando Alonso. Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar was 15th, Ferrari’s Arthur Leclerc 18th, Alpine’s Jack Doohan 19th and Williams’ Luke Browning 20th, with all completing their FP1 running.
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Although Leclerc led FP1, Ferrari received bad news: the Monegasque driver would take a ten-place grid penalty for the race after using his third energy store of the season. With McLaren holding a 21-point advantage in the constructors’ standings, the setback further reduced Ferrari’s hopes of overturning the deficit to win the title. Norris gave McLaren a positive start in second, while Oscar Piastri sat out FP1 and Hirakawa drove in his place.
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Mercedes made a steady start, with Hamilton third and George Russell fourth, 0.844 seconds behind. They began their final weekend together at the Silver Arrows with a consistent pace. Pierre Gasly was fifth at 1.012 seconds, continuing his strong form since the Austin upgrade. Both Haas cars finished in the top eight, with Nico Hülkenberg sixth and Kevin Magnussen eighth. Sergio Pérez was tenth for Red Bull, while Max Verstappen handed his car to Hadjar. Alonso was only 11th and voiced strong dissatisfaction with his car over the radio after the session.
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FP2 would follow later, giving teams an opportunity to continue refining their cars in conditions closer to those expected for qualifying, ahead of Saturday’s grid-setting session and Sunday’s race.
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| Position | Driver | Team | Gap | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 1:24.321 | 19 |
| 2 | Lando Norris | McLaren | +0.221 | 25 |
| 3 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | +0.485 | 27 |
| 4 | George Russell | Mercedes | +0.844 | 27 |
| 5 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine | +1.012 | 24 |
| 6 | Nico Hülkenberg | Haas | +1.052 | 23 |
| 7 | Franco Colapinto | Williams | +1.061 | 24 |
| 8 | Kevin Magnussen | Haas | +1.123 | 25 |
| 9 | Felipe Drugovich | Aston Martin | +1.150 | 22 |
| 10 | Sergio Pérez | Red Bull | +1.162 | 26 |
| 11 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | +1.183 | 23 |
| 12 | Liam Lawson | RB | +1.242 | 27 |
| 13 | Valtteri Bottas | Sauber | +1.290 | 23 |
| 14 | Ryo Hirakawa | McLaren | +1.553 | 19 |
| 15 | Isack Hadjar | Red Bull | +1.556 | 22 |
| 16 | Zhou Guanyu | Sauber | +1.600 | 23 |
| 17 | Ayumu Iwasa | RB | +1.800 | 24 |
| 18 | Arthur Leclerc | Ferrari | +1.858 | 22 |
| 19 | Jack Doohan | Alpine | +1.983 | 24 |
| 20 | Luke Browning | Williams | +2.198 | 22 |
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