The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix roared to life on the airwaves of 5 Live and the Sport News Center website, but it wasn’t without its dramatic twists and turns. Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and Haas driver Nico Hulkenberg found themselves in a high-speed tango with the barriers during an eventful Friday second practice session at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The action-packed session, unfortunately, had to be shortened to a mere 20 minutes due to a nearly half-hour delay caused by necessary repairs to the barriers, which bore the brunt of Sainz’s heavy crash at Turn Three. That crash alone sent shockwaves through the paddock, as the teams and drivers anxiously awaited the resumption of practice.
As if one incident weren’t enough excitement, Hulkenberg’s misadventure at Turn One swiftly followed, costing an additional seven precious minutes of practice time. It was clear that adrenaline was running high in the pit lanes.
Despite the mayhem, it was Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc who managed to keep his composure and set the pace, edging out McLaren’s Lando Norris by a mere 0.043 seconds. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen wasn’t far behind, posting the third fastest time, just 0.173 seconds off Leclerc’s blistering pace. Verstappen even found time to complain that his car was “bouncing like a kangaroo” in the final sector of the lap around the picturesque marina circuit.
Further down the order, Mercedes driver George Russell secured the sixth-fastest time, trailing the Alfa Romeo of Valtteri Bottas and the second Red Bull of Sergio Perez. Lewis Hamilton, in the second Mercedes, found himself in the eighth spot, 0.193 seconds behind his teammate Russell.
The truncated session left teams and drivers with minimal time to fine-tune their cars and deprived them of the usual race-simulation runs. As a result, there were few clues about the potential form heading into the weekend’s main event.
Sainz’s dramatic incident occurred just eight minutes into the session. His Ferrari hit a bump while navigating one of the circuit’s fastest corners, leading to a loss of downforce and ultimately causing him to lose control. Sainz radioed his team, citing “Dirty air from the car gave me a massive snap. Dirty air and the bump, I think.”
Interestingly, earlier in the first session, several junior drivers, utilized by nine of the ten teams as part of their mandatory “young driver” program, encountered wild moments over the same bump without losing control, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the track’s challenges.
Sainz emerged unscathed from his heart-stopping crash, but the barriers bore the brunt of the impact. With just 25 minutes left in the session, the race stewards had no choice but to red-flag the session to assess and repair the extensive damage.
However, fate had other plans, and just two minutes after the restart, Hulkenberg ran wide on the exit of Turn One, veering onto the artificial grass outside the kerb, which caused his car to spin uncontrollably. The car’s rear corner collided forcefully with the barriers, triggering another red flag, this time for a seven-minute delay while the damaged Haas machine was extricated from the scene.
The frantic final quarter-hour was akin to a high-speed chess match, with Verstappen aggressively maneuvering his way past both Mercedes drivers as they exited the pits, leading him to accuse them of “blocking him.” The lack of track time left teams facing a challenging night of preparation, as they had limited data to base their setups on for the upcoming race.
This weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix holds significant importance for the championship standings. Ferrari finds themselves just four points behind Mercedes in their quest for second place in the constructors’ championship, trailing Red Bull. The stakes are high, not only for the coveted position but also for the additional $10 million or so of prize money and the morale boost it would provide after a challenging season.
Ferrari’s resurgence in the second half of the season, marked by a series of upgrades that have tamed their troublesome car, has given them momentum in this battle. Additionally, there’s an air of uncertainty surrounding fourth place, with McLaren holding an 11-point advantage over Aston Martin.
At the tail end of the grid, the bottom four teams – Williams, Alpha Tauri, Alfa Romeo, and Haas – are separated by a mere 16 points, setting the stage for a potentially dramatic conclusion to the season.
Meanwhile, in the drivers’ championship, Carlos Sainz and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso find themselves locked in a thrilling tie with 200 points each, occupying the fourth and fifth spots. Just a hair’s breadth behind them is McLaren’s Lando Norris, who is a mere seven points adrift of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. The stage is set for a nail-biting showdown in the desert as the Formula 1 season hurtles towards its conclusion.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Practice
What happened during the second practice session at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix?
During the second practice session at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, there were several dramatic incidents. Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz crashed heavily at Turn Three, leading to a nearly half-hour delay as the barriers needed repairs. Shortly after, Haas driver Nico Hulkenberg had his own mishap at Turn One, causing another delay. The session was shortened to just 20 minutes due to these incidents.
Who topped the time charts in the practice session?
Charles Leclerc, driving for Ferrari, set the fastest lap time in the practice session, narrowly edging out McLaren’s Lando Norris by 0.043 seconds. Leclerc’s impressive performance showcased Ferrari’s potential.
What did Max Verstappen complain about during the session?
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen voiced his frustration during the session, describing his car as “bouncing like a kangaroo” in the final sector of the circuit. This issue highlighted the challenges faced by the drivers on the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix track.
How did Carlos Sainz lose control of his car?
Carlos Sainz lost control of his Ferrari after hitting a bump while navigating one of the fastest corners on the track. This bump likely caused a loss of downforce, leading to Sainz’s loss of control. He attributed the incident to “Dirty air from the car” and the bump.
Why was the session particularly challenging for teams and drivers?
The practice session was particularly challenging because it was significantly shortened due to the delays caused by crashes. This left teams with minimal time to set up their cars and prevented them from conducting their usual race-simulation runs. As a result, there was limited data for teams to base their preparations on for the upcoming race.
What are the implications for the championship standings?
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix holds significant implications for the championship standings. Ferrari is just four points behind Mercedes in their battle for second place in the constructors’ championship, with Red Bull leading. The outcome of this battle not only affects the team’s position but also comes with a substantial financial reward. Additionally, there is uncertainty surrounding fourth place, with McLaren holding a narrow lead over Aston Martin. In the drivers’ championship, Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso are tied in fourth place, with Lando Norris close behind, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion to the season.
More about Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Practice
- Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Nico Hulkenberg
- McLaren
- Red Bull Racing
- Ferrari
- Mercedes
- Aston Martin
- Formula 1 News
