[F1] – Good morning dear readers of FormulaPassion.it and welcome back with the appointment dedicated to the direct text of the first free practice session on Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2021, last stage of the Formula 1 world championship. Lewis Hamilton contro Max Verstappen, the champion against the young challenger: after the sparks have become flames, it is time for the decisive round.
Session in progress
10.59 – Concern over the radio for Sainz: “Guys, we need to improve“. Not good start for Ferrari this weekend.
10.58 – Red Bull mechanics working on Verstappen’s front wing.
10.57 – ‘Old style’ helmet also for Kimi Raikkonen, who returns to his origins with the white and blue of his Finland.
Throwback helmet for Kimi… ????????#Thank youKimi pic.twitter.com/iS2RsHktBg
— Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN (@alfaromeoracing) December 10, 2021
10.55 – Alpine continues to give positive signals among the teams in the center of the group. At the moment Alonso is fifth and Ocon is seventh. Among them the AlphaTauri of Tsunoda. These three are the best behind the unattainable ‘top-4’ of Mercedes and Red Bull.
10.53 – First timed lap for Leclerc, but with a red tire he climbs ‘only’ to 14th position. Immediately behind teammate Carlos Sainz.
10.52 – Improve Verstappen even more. 1.25.300 per l’orange. 1:25.552 for Hamilton, two and a half tenths off.
10.51 – Ferrari still inexcusable in terms of performance. The reds are not currently working to find the lap time. No timed laps yet for Leclerc. McLaren is also distant. Ninths and tenths at the moment Ricciardo and Norris.
10.50 – Thrill for Ocon, one step away from the walls.
A close call for @OconEsteban! ????????# F1 ???????? #AbuDhabiGP pic.twitter.com/rofy5IhpLY
– Formula 1 (@ F1) December 10, 2021
10.48 – This is the top 10 after 20 minutes.
10.46 – Aitken on track with Williams. He is behind the wheel in these PL1s instead of George Russell.
Welcome back @JaitkenRacer! ????
Good to see you in the car for FP1 with @WilliamsRacing ☺️# F1 ???????? #AbuDhabiGP pic.twitter.com/5d8qQaIM68
– Formula 1 (@ F1) December 10, 2021
10.44 – Get back in front of Verstappen. 1:25.602. The Dutchman seems to be mainly focused on the qualifying simulation.
10.43 – Good signal from Sergio Perez. The Mexican climbs to third place, in front of Verstappen and immediately behind Hamilton.
10.42 – Alonso fits in between the two litigants. The Alpine Spaniard, also with red rubber, improved Hamilton’s time by 19 thousandths.
10.41 – Differentiated work for Ferrari. Leclerc and Sainz are at the bottom of the table and are running around with showy rakes to collect data.
10.40 – The question and answer between the two great rivals continues. Hamilton back in front 1:26.290. Times these facts mark all with soft rubber.
10.38 – Best time of Verstappen. 1:26.463 for Dutch. Behind him Norris, Hamilton and Bottas.
10.37 – Immediately a misunderstanding between Leclerc and a Red Bull. Probably that of Max Verstappen.
We’re not racing yet guys! ????# F1 ???????? #AbuDhabiGP pic.twitter.com/wmCk0W3rhS
– Formula 1 (@ F1) December 10, 2021
10.36 – Hamilton’s Mercedes takes the lead. 1.27.148 the first time trial of the reigning world champion.
10.34 – Immediate problems at the wheel for Verstappen. Mercedes already ahead of the times, with Valtteri Bottas in the provisional command of the ranking.
10.33 – Helmet cam per Charles Leclerc.
10.32 – Entra in pista Max Verstappen.
10.31 – Immediate activity on the track. Leclerc, Bottas, Raikkonen and Schumacher were the first to enter the track.
???? FP1 GREEN LIGHT ????
Here we go! # F1 ???????? #AbuDhabiGP pic.twitter.com/ujQ1cDTfiK
– Formula 1 (@ F1) December 10, 2021
10.30 – You leave! Green flag.
10.28 – Obviously rather hot temperatures. But be careful, the sessions that ‘matter’ – qualifying and the race – will take place at sunset, in different track conditions than this morning.
10.25 – A ‘dedicated’ wing also for Alpine, with ‘El Plan’ ahead of 2022. In Spain, everyone dreams of Fernando Alonso’s return to the top.
It’s time for our final practice session of the year! ????
And, @alo_oficial and @OconEsteban have a new addition to their @AlpineF1Team cars ????# F1 ???????? #AbuDhabiGP pic.twitter.com/bDDWkKU1jv
– Formula 1 (@ F1) December 10, 2021
10.20 – Ten minutes and off we go. Sun and clear skies on the track of the Emirates.
10.15 – Here are some more details of Giovinazzi’s splendid tribute to Kimi Raikkonen.
10.10 – Another special helmet is the Charles Leclerc one. Yet another dedication of love to Ferrari and its fans.
A completely new look for @Charles_Leclerc this weekend ????
Thoughts, #Fans? #beFerrari ???? # F1 #AbuDhabiGP #Charles16 pic.twitter.com/Zu0zPzgcms
– Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) December 10, 2021
10.05 – Meanwhile, in the world contest, Max Verstappen seems ready to use every means to secure the first title of his career.
10.00 – Meanwhile, at Alpine, on the eve of the race weekend, the drivers took part in a fun challenge on karts.
About last night… It doesn’t matter if it’s F1 or karting. If it’s got 4 wheels, they’ll go for it! @OconEsteban, @alo_oficial and @kvyatofficial doing their thing. We loved watching them have fun, we hope you do too! #AbuDhabiGP # F1Final pic.twitter.com/0UFwOiJFId
— Alpine F1 Team (@AlpineF1Team) December 10, 2021
09.55 – Meanwhile, sad news arrives from the USA for all motorsport fans. He left us Al Unser Sr., legend of the Indianapolis 500
09.50 Speaking of special helmets, here’s Lance Stroll’s. For the Canadian of Aston Martin, the Abu Dhabi GP will be the number 100 in his career.
Something fresh for #LS100. ✨
Introducing @lance_stroll‘s #AbuDhabiGP special edition helmet. Who’s excited to see this shine under the floodlights? pic.twitter.com/lt8f0vNljw
— Aston Martin Cognizant F1 Team (@AstonMartinF1) December 10, 2021
09.45 – Among the protagonists of this morning there will also be Jack Aitken. Williams’ third driver will run in PL1 in place of George Russell.
09.40 – Not only does the battle for the world title take center stage in the Emirates. In fact, Sunday will be the 350th – and last – race in his career for Kimi Raikkonen. His teammate, Antonio Giovinazzi – who is also on his way to farewell from the Circus, to land in Formula E – wanted to pay him homage.
Time to celebrate a legend, time to thank a true friend ❤️#Whom #Legend #Thankyou pic.twitter.com/6DutZvPb2i
– Antonio Giovinazzi (@Anto_Giovinazzi) December 10, 2021
09.30 – Here we are. In an hour in Abu Dhabi the cars will take to the track for the first free practice session of the last GP of the season. Eyes obviously focused on the two title contenders, Hamilton and Verstappen, and on their adaptation to the new layout of the Yas Marina track.
