Scuderia Ferrari HP ran three drivers on this primary day of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Charles Leclerc drove each free follow classes, joined by his brother Arthur for the primary hour, earlier than the youthful Leclerc handed again the SF-25 to Lewis Hamilton for the second. Between them, they ran all of the compounds introduced right here by Pirelli (C3, C4 and C5), finishing a complete of 115 laps.
The day’s programme was accomplished, which in Arthur’s case was much less related to this weekend and extra to do with gathering information helpful again at base. The monitor developed all through because it steadily cleaned up and received rubbered in.
Tomorrow’s closing free follow session begins in monitor situations that aren’t that related given the temperatures at this hour, however the time will nonetheless be spent primarily positive tuning the vehicles for qualifying.
FP1: Charles and Arthur had a hassle free session working first the Onerous tyre whereas getting used to the monitor, which was nonetheless fairly soiled. Charles did a qualifying simulation throughout which he set his finest time, working the softest tyre, earlier than switching again to the Hards used in the beginning of the session. Arthur, considered one of 9 rookies on monitor on this session, had a unique programme, which included trying on the correlation between information from the simulator and from the precise automotive. Subsequently, he solely ran the Smooth compound tyre within the closing moments of the 60 minute session.
FP2: Within the second session, Charles additionally ran the Medium compound earlier than returning to qualifying configuration on Softs. In direction of the top, he took on extra gas, going again out on the tyres used in the beginning of the hour. Lewis, on the wheel of the SF-25 for his solely session of the day, ran a really related programme to his team-mate, setting his finest time on Smooth tyres. The Englishman then upped the gas load, to additionally run the Mediums with which he’d accomplished his first few laps. This session was probably the most significant, by way of the lap occasions because it passed off concurrently Sunday’s race begin and only one hour sooner than when qualifying will get underway tomorrow.
Charles Leclerc: FP1 was very particular for me. Seeing my youthful brother behind the wheel of a Method 1 automotive with the Scuderia, and sharing the monitor with him for a follow session is one thing we dreamed of collectively since we had been children and it put a smile on my face.
When it comes to driving, it was a difficult Friday for us total. We’re lacking one thing and are pushing to search out the place we will enhance to be additional forward in tomorrow’s qualifying.
Lewis Hamilton: It was nice to see Arthur within the automotive this afternoon in FP1 and I used to be feeling good coming into FP2. The automotive proved difficult to drive and there may be some work to do forward of tomorrow to enhance the sensation with the automotive. We’ll overview the information tonight and work on the areas that may assist us make a step ahead for tomorrow’s classes.
Arthur Leclerc: I am actually pleased with this FP1. It was a very good session and we gathered essential information for the workforce and the simulator group. The whole lot went properly and the tempo was robust. The Smooth tyres had been fully new to me, so I simply tried to provide it my finest. Being on monitor along with my brother and the opposite Method 1 drivers is all the time an awesome emotion. I need to thank the entire workforce for this chance.
Try our Friday gallery from Yas Marina right here.
