Red Bull’s Max Verstappen heads into the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend with a chance of taking his first ever title. And the Dutch driver got his weekend off to the best possible start, heading first practice as title rival Lewis Hamilton took P3.
Verstappen stopped the clocks at 1m 25.009s, lapping the Yas Marina Circuit some 12s faster than he managed in the same session last year. There was a good reason for that time reduction too, with the track having undergone major changes designed to improve racing and make the lap more flowing.
AS IT HAPPENED: Follow all the action from first practice for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Meanwhile, Jack Aitken returned to the cockpit for Williams, keeping his nose clean as he took over George Russell’s car, marking his first F1 return after a serious sportscar accident at Spa-Francorchamps earlier this year.
Enjoy highlights from FP1 for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in the video above.
Next Up
Related Articles
Norris motivated by ‘good signs’ from Japan top-five finish
Antonelli takes championship lead with victory in Japan
Wolff explains Russell’s ‘disadvantage’ in Japanese GP
See how Antonelli beat Russell in the fight for Japanese GP pole
Verstappen admits Red Bull are in the ‘midfield battle’ 
Lindblad outlines his bold approach to Q3 appearance in Japan