George Russell Shines as Young Talent Takes Center Stage in Abu Dhabi Grand Prix FP1
The highly anticipated opening practice session for the 2023 Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix saw Mercedes driver George Russell lay down a dominant marker, topping the timesheets amidst a unique grid featuring ten promising junior drivers. As the sun began to set over the iconic Yas Marina Circuit, Russell’s impressive pace underscored his team’s aspirations for a strong finish to the season, while the influx of fresh talent offered a captivating glimpse into the future of Formula 1.
Russell’s fastest lap, a blistering 1’26.072 set on the soft compound tyres, demonstrated his immediate comfort with the W14 on the circuit. This stellar performance placed him comfortably ahead of the competition, signaling Mercedes’ intent right from the outset of the weekend. The session, which served as a crucial data-gathering opportunity for all teams, was particularly noteworthy for the significant presence of young drivers, providing them with invaluable experience on a Grand Prix weekend. Their participation, a mandatory requirement for teams to run rookie drivers in at least two FP1 sessions per season, transformed the session into a genuine talent showcase.
Junior Drivers Seize the Spotlight: A Glimpse into F1’s Future
Half of the 20-car field consisted of junior drivers, a truly exceptional occurrence for a Formula 1 practice session. This provided an extraordinary platform for a new generation of racing stars to demonstrate their capabilities on the grandest stage. Leading this charge among the rookies was Aston Martin junior driver Felipe Drugovich, the reigning Formula 2 champion, who impressively secured the second-fastest time overall. His performance in the AMR23 was a clear statement of intent, proving he is a talent to watch closely. Hot on his heels, Daniel Ricciardo showcased strong form for AlphaTauri, clinching the third spot on the leaderboard, further highlighting the competitive nature of the session.
The senior Red Bull Racing duo, Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez, notably sat out the session, ceding their cockpits to Formula E champion Jake Dennis and promising talent Isack Hadjar. This not only gave the young drivers vital mileage in the championship-winning RB19 but also provided a unique development opportunity for Red Bull’s team personnel. Race engineers Tom Hart and Richard Wood gained valuable experience communicating with Dennis and Hadjar respectively over the radio, honing their skills in a live Grand Prix environment.
The pit lane was a hive of activity as established stars made way for emerging talents. Lewis Hamilton stepped aside, allowing Frederik Vesti to take the wheel of the Mercedes W14. Ferrari entrusted Robert Shwartzman with Charles Leclerc’s SF-23, while IndyCar sensation Pato O’Ward piloted Lando Norris’s McLaren. Alongside Drugovich in the Aston Martin, Jack Doohan got a chance in Esteban Ocon’s Alpine, and Theo Pourchaire took over Zhou Guanyu’s Alfa Romeo. Haas ran Oliver Bearman in Nico Hulkenberg’s car, and Zak O’Sullivan received an opportunity in Alexander Albon’s Williams. Each of these drivers faced the immense challenge of adapting to powerful F1 machinery on a demanding circuit, under the watchful eyes of their respective teams and the motorsport world.
On-Track Action and Early Pace Setters
The session commenced with Lance Stroll setting the very first lap time, a 1’31.035, as drivers gradually began to push the limits of their machines. However, it was George Russell who quickly established a benchmark, posting a more representative 1’27.673 on the medium compound tyres. Russell demonstrated exceptional consistency and continuous improvement, progressively lowering his best time to a 1’26.313 still on the medium compound. Yuki Tsunoda of AlphaTauri emerged as the closest competitor to Russell’s early pace, though still a full second adrift, indicating Mercedes’ strong underlying performance.
As the session progressed and teams moved onto the softer tyre compounds, the times continued to tumble. Russell, capitalising on the extra grip of the softs, further cemented his top position with a 1’26.072. Drugovich’s impressive run to second place, also on soft tyres, solidified his position as the fastest junior driver and highlighted the potential of the Aston Martin package. The Yas Marina Circuit, known for its flowing sectors and technical final turns, offered a true test of both driver skill and car setup, making Russell’s performance particularly commendable.
Incidents and Close Calls Under Investigation
The high stakes and varying experience levels on track inevitably led to a few tense moments. A dangerous near-miss occurred at the final corner involving Alpine junior Jack Doohan and Williams driver Logan Sargeant. Doohan was forced to take evasive action as Sargeant’s car appeared to be approaching slowly at the entrance to the final corner, just as Doohan was preparing for a flying lap. This incident immediately caught the attention of the race stewards, who confirmed it would be investigated after the session, underscoring the critical importance of situational awareness on track, especially in busy practice sessions.
Further close calls punctuated the session. Another incident at the final corner saw Lance Stroll and Frederik Vesti come uncomfortably close, fortunately without contact. Shortly thereafter, Red Bull junior Isack Hadjar had to react sharply under braking for Turn 6 as Stroll’s car appeared to be running slowly on the racing line. While both these incidents were noted, the stewards ultimately decided not to launch formal investigations, suggesting they deemed no rules were breached or that the avoidance actions were sufficient to prevent a dangerous situation. These moments serve as a stark reminder of the fine margins in Formula 1 and the constant vigilance required from all drivers.
Final Standings and Key Performances
As the chequered flag waved, signalling the end of the hour-long session, George Russell’s 1’26.072 remained unchallenged at the top of the standings. Felipe Drugovich’s P2 finish, just under three-tenths slower, was a standout performance, marking him as the fastest junior driver of the session. Daniel Ricciardo’s P3 for AlphaTauri confirmed the team’s consistent improvement towards the end of the season, and his experience shone through.
Valtteri Bottas secured an impressive fourth place for Alfa Romeo, followed by Lance Stroll in fifth and Oscar Piastri in sixth, demonstrating McLaren’s continued strong form. Carlos Sainz Jnr placed seventh for Ferrari, a mere two-hundredths of a second quicker than his junior counterpart Robert Shwartzman in the sister Ferrari, who finished eighth. Pierre Gasly and Yuki Tsunoda rounded out the top ten, showcasing the competitive midfield.
Among the other junior drivers, Frederik Vesti was 12th for Mercedes, ahead of Jack Doohan in 13th, Theo Pourchaire in 14th, and Pato O’Ward in 15th. The Red Bull juniors, Jake Dennis and Isack Hadjar, finished 16th and 17th respectively, gaining crucial experience in the dominant RB19. Zak O’Sullivan was 18th for Williams, while Oliver Bearman, though slowest in the Haas, was remarkably only a tenth slower than his experienced teammate Kevin Magnussen, finishing 20th. This suggests the young Briton adapted quickly to the VF-23, leaving a positive impression.
The opening practice session of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix provided a compelling mix of established talent and burgeoning potential. While George Russell’s pace was undeniable, the performance of the junior drivers offered an exciting glimpse into Formula 1’s future, setting the stage for an intriguing weekend of racing at the Yas Marina Circuit. Teams will now analyse the vast amounts of data collected, preparing for a demanding qualifying session and the ultimate season finale.
2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix first practice result
| P. | # | Driver | Team | Model | Time | Gap | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 63 | George Russell | Mercedes | W14 | 1’26.072 | 26 | |
| 2 | 34 | Felipe Drugovich | Aston Martin-Mercedes | AMR23 | 1’26.360 | 0.288 | 26 |
| 3 | 3 | Daniel Ricciardo | AlphaTauri-Honda RBPT | AT04 | 1’26.433 | 0.361 | 26 |
| 4 | 77 | Valtteri Bottas | Alfa Romeo-Ferrari | C43 | 1’26.453 | 0.381 | 21 |
| 5 | 18 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin-Mercedes | AMR23 | 1’26.631 | 0.559 | 21 |
| 6 | 81 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren-Mercedes | MCL60 | 1’26.665 | 0.593 | 25 |
| 7 | 55 | Carlos Sainz Jnr | Ferrari | SF-23 | 1’26.676 | 0.604 | 24 |
| 8 | 39 | Robert Shwartzman | Ferrari | SF-23 | 1’26.703 | 0.631 | 25 |
| 9 | 10 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine-Renault | A523 | 1’26.720 | 0.648 | 26 |
| 10 | 22 | Yuki Tsunoda | AlphaTauri-Honda RBPT | AT04 | 1’26.725 | 0.653 | 27 |
| 11 | 2 | Logan Sargeant | Williams-Mercedes | FW45 | 1’26.742 | 0.670 | 27 |
| 12 | 42 | Frederik Vesti | Mercedes | W14 | 1’26.815 | 0.743 | 27 |
| 13 | 61 | Jack Doohan | Alpine-Renault | A523 | 1’26.865 | 0.793 | 23 |
| 14 | 98 | Theo Pourchaire | Alfa Romeo-Ferrari | C43 | 1’27.093 | 1.021 | 20 |
| 15 | 29 | Pato O’Ward | McLaren-Mercedes | MCL60 | 1’27.114 | 1.042 | 23 |
| 16 | 36 | Jake Dennis | Red Bull-Honda RBPT | RB19 | 1’27.208 | 1.136 | 24 |
| 17 | 37 | Isack Hadjar | Red Bull-Honda RBPT | RB19 | 1’27.244 | 1.172 | 20 |
| 18 | 45 | Zak O’Sullivan | Williams-Mercedes | FW45 | 1’27.460 | 1.388 | 28 |
| 19 | 20 | Kevin Magnussen | Haas-Ferrari | VF-23 | 1’27.462 | 1.390 | 26 |
| 20 | 50 | Oliver Bearman | Haas-Ferrari | VF-23 | 1’27.569 | 1.497 | 24 |
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