The McLaren team has kicked off the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend in a promising manner, with hopes of clinching their first Constructors' Championship title since 1998. This weekend holds significant potential for them, especially after achieving the two fastest times in the crucial free practice sessions on Friday.
During the second free practice session, which closely mimics the timing of the race and qualifying, Lando Norris topped the charts, followed closely by Oscar Piastri in second place. Notably, their closest competitor was Nico Hulkenberg from the Haas team, who is also engaged in a fierce battle for sixth place in the Constructors' standings against Alpine. Currently, McLaren trails Alpine by five points but managed to secure both cars in the top eight on this first day of activities in Abu Dhabi.
Competing with McLaren for the title is the Ferrari team, who is positioned 21 points behind. However, Ferrari faced setbacks on Friday, especially with Charles Leclerc receiving a 10-place grid penalty due to a battery change in his power unit. Consequently, the team couldn't fully focus on qualifying pace, and Leclerc ended the day with the seventh fastest time after having led the morning session.
Another significant aspect of the day was Felipe Drugovich's opportunity to drive for Aston Martin. There is an F1 regulation requiring race drivers to allow young drivers to partake in a practice session each year, thereby giving Drugovich the chance to showcase his skills. In the closing moments of the session, Drugovich and veteran driver Fernando Alonso set similar conditions regarding fuel and tires, resulting in Drugovich clocking a faster lap than Alonso.
Following the practice, Drugovich expressed his gratitude to the team for providing equal footing during the session. He conveyed a touch of frustration because he believes that every time he drives, he demonstrates that he deserves a spot on the F1 grid but has yet to secure a permanent position as a race driver.
Gabriel Bortoleto’s Tightly Contested Formula 2 Title
Another Brazilian making headlines is Gabriel Bortoleto, who is in a neck-and-neck battle for the Formula 2 championship title. Bortoleto has already secured a place in Formula 1 next season with Alfa Romeo. The F2 title decider is shaping up to be one of the most tightly contested in history, with Bortoleto holding just a half-point lead entering the weekend.
During the qualifying session, he secured a second-place starting position while his closest rival, Isaac Hadjar, will start from fourth position, adding tension to their rivalry. Another competitor, Paul Aron, is also in the mix, starting in third place but trailing by 25.5 points.
In this unique format, the top ten finishers from qualifying will have their starting positions reversed for the sprint race. Consequently, Bortoleto will be starting from ninth, Hadjar from eighth, and the others from their respective qualifying positions.
Following the qualifying session, Bortoleto expressed optimism regarding his car's performance and acknowledged that he is keen to keep an eye on Hadjar’s moves throughout the race. This strategy will inform his approach, whether to be aggressive in pursuit of the title or to adopt a more conservative stance.
In a less sporty note, a drivers' dinner, traditionally hosted by Lewis Hamilton at the end of the season, was held recently. Most drivers attended, except for those from Aston Martin. Notably, Valtteri Bottas mentioned that he picked up the tab, which amounted to over €5,000, showcasing his camaraderie with fellow drivers despite not currently having a seat in Formula 1.
As the weekend unfolds, the excitement intensifies across both the F1 and F2 circuits, with McLaren eyeing championship glory, and various young talents vying for their place in motorsport history. The upcoming races promise thrilling encounters and strategic maneuvers that will shape the futures of these drivers and teams alike.
Part 1/7:
McLaren's Strong Start to the Abu Dhabi Weekend
The McLaren team has kicked off the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend in a promising manner, with hopes of clinching their first Constructors' Championship title since 1998. This weekend holds significant potential for them, especially after achieving the two fastest times in the crucial free practice sessions on Friday.
Dominant Performances in Practice
Part 2/7:
During the second free practice session, which closely mimics the timing of the race and qualifying, Lando Norris topped the charts, followed closely by Oscar Piastri in second place. Notably, their closest competitor was Nico Hulkenberg from the Haas team, who is also engaged in a fierce battle for sixth place in the Constructors' standings against Alpine. Currently, McLaren trails Alpine by five points but managed to secure both cars in the top eight on this first day of activities in Abu Dhabi.
Ferrari's Battle and Challenges
Part 3/7:
Competing with McLaren for the title is the Ferrari team, who is positioned 21 points behind. However, Ferrari faced setbacks on Friday, especially with Charles Leclerc receiving a 10-place grid penalty due to a battery change in his power unit. Consequently, the team couldn't fully focus on qualifying pace, and Leclerc ended the day with the seventh fastest time after having led the morning session.
Felipe Drugovich's Opportunity with Aston Martin
Part 4/7:
Another significant aspect of the day was Felipe Drugovich's opportunity to drive for Aston Martin. There is an F1 regulation requiring race drivers to allow young drivers to partake in a practice session each year, thereby giving Drugovich the chance to showcase his skills. In the closing moments of the session, Drugovich and veteran driver Fernando Alonso set similar conditions regarding fuel and tires, resulting in Drugovich clocking a faster lap than Alonso.
Following the practice, Drugovich expressed his gratitude to the team for providing equal footing during the session. He conveyed a touch of frustration because he believes that every time he drives, he demonstrates that he deserves a spot on the F1 grid but has yet to secure a permanent position as a race driver.
Part 5/7:
Gabriel Bortoleto’s Tightly Contested Formula 2 Title
Another Brazilian making headlines is Gabriel Bortoleto, who is in a neck-and-neck battle for the Formula 2 championship title. Bortoleto has already secured a place in Formula 1 next season with Alfa Romeo. The F2 title decider is shaping up to be one of the most tightly contested in history, with Bortoleto holding just a half-point lead entering the weekend.
During the qualifying session, he secured a second-place starting position while his closest rival, Isaac Hadjar, will start from fourth position, adding tension to their rivalry. Another competitor, Paul Aron, is also in the mix, starting in third place but trailing by 25.5 points.
Strategy and Race Start
Part 6/7:
In this unique format, the top ten finishers from qualifying will have their starting positions reversed for the sprint race. Consequently, Bortoleto will be starting from ninth, Hadjar from eighth, and the others from their respective qualifying positions.
Following the qualifying session, Bortoleto expressed optimism regarding his car's performance and acknowledged that he is keen to keep an eye on Hadjar’s moves throughout the race. This strategy will inform his approach, whether to be aggressive in pursuit of the title or to adopt a more conservative stance.
A Final Note on the Drivers' Dinner
Part 7/7:
In a less sporty note, a drivers' dinner, traditionally hosted by Lewis Hamilton at the end of the season, was held recently. Most drivers attended, except for those from Aston Martin. Notably, Valtteri Bottas mentioned that he picked up the tab, which amounted to over €5,000, showcasing his camaraderie with fellow drivers despite not currently having a seat in Formula 1.
As the weekend unfolds, the excitement intensifies across both the F1 and F2 circuits, with McLaren eyeing championship glory, and various young talents vying for their place in motorsport history. The upcoming races promise thrilling encounters and strategic maneuvers that will shape the futures of these drivers and teams alike.