Max Verstappen (Red Bull) set the best time in the only free practice session of the Qatar GP, 17th round of the Formula 1 World Championship, Friday at the Lusail circuit (5.419 km) in Doha.
The Dutchman, who is on the verge of winning a third consecutive world title, took the lead at the end of the session and was ahead of the two Ferraris of the Spaniard Carlos Sainz and the Monegasque Charles Leclerc by respectively 334 and 481 thousandths.
The Spaniard Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) took fourth place just behind Leclerc but with medium tires, unlike all the other members of the Top 7 who had worn soft tires. Verstappen’s Mexican teammate, Sergio Pérez, the only driver who can still delay the Dutchman’s announced victory, set the fifth time, ahead of the surprising Japanese Yuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri) and German Nico Hülkenberg (Haas).
The Briton George Russell (Mercedes), also equipped with medium tires, took eighth place ahead of the two McLarens of the Australian Oscar Piastri and the Briton Lando Norris.
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The two Williams of the American Logan Sargeant, still not assured of keeping his seat next season, and the Thai Alex Albon are in 11th and 12th places, ahead of the seven-time British world champion Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes). The Alpine single-seaters of Frenchmen Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly disappointed by finishing only 15th and 16th.
The session, held at sunset with a temperature above 35 degrees and quite a bit of wind, was marked by a glaring lack of grip, particularly due to the presence of sand on the track. Many drivers made mistakes, including Verstappen and Leclerc, who slipped several times without damaging their cars. Due to the sprint which will take place on Saturday, the second run of the day, at night (7 p.m. in Paris, 8 p.m. local) will constitute qualifying for Sunday’s Grand Prix.
1st free practice session:
Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull) 1:27.428
Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP/Ferrari) 1:27.762
Charles Leclerc (MON/Ferrari) 1:27.909
Fernando Alonso (ESP/Aston Martin-Mercedes) 1:27.919
Sergio Pérez (MEX/Red Bull) 1:28.016
Yuki Tsunoda (JPN/AlphaTauri-Red Bull) 1:28.027
Nico Hülkenberg (GER/Haas-Ferrari) 1:28.171
George Russell (GBR/Mercedes) 1:28.336
Oscar Piastri (AUS/McLaren-Mercedes) 1:28.380
Lando Norris (GBR/McLaren-Mercedes) 1:28.441
Logan Sargeant (USA/Williams-Mercedes) 1:28.550
Alexander Albon (THA/Williams-Mercedes) 1:28.590
Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) 1:28.679
Lance Stroll (CAN/Aston Martin-Mercedes) 1:28.690
Esteban Ocon (FRA/Alpine-Renault) 1:28.732
Pierre Gasly (FRA/Alpine-Renault) 1:28.821
Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Alfa Romeo-Ferrari) 1:29.041
Zhou Guanyu (CHN/Alfa Romeo-Ferrari) 1:29.106
Liam Lawson (NZL/AlphaTauri-Red Bull) 1:29.238
Kevin Magnussen (DEN/Haas-Ferrari) 1:29.502