Abu Dhabi GP Practice One: Valtteri Bottas ahead, Sebastian Vettel spins
Written by News on 29/11/2019
Valtteri Bottas started the final weekend of the F1 2019 season on top after out-pacing Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton in first practice for the Abu Dhabi GP, while Sebastian Vettel finished the session with a spin into the barriers.
Bottas, who is braced for a back-of-the-grid start in Sunday’s race, made the most of his new engine in a baking hot opening session at Yas Marina, finishing more than half a second clear of his closest rivals.
His 1:36.957 was also set on medium tyres compared to others on softs.
Mercedes looked most at home around the sweeping circuit but Verstappen did edge 2019 champion Hamilton to place second, while Alex Albon was fourth in the other Red Bull.
Hamilton had an earlier scare when limping back to the pits, but that was down to a sensor issue.
In the final P1 of the season, many teams were trialling new parts and Ferrari appeared to be focusing on 2020 preparations, with Vettel and Leclerc 1.9s and 2.2s off the pace respectively.
While those times won’t be too alarming to the Scuderia, they had a concerning end to the session as Vettel lost control of his car in the final sector and spun, backing into the barriers at Turn 19.
Vettel only arrived in Abu Dhabi on Thursday evening after making his way to the UAE late due to the birth of his third child.
More to follow…
(c) Sky Sports 2019: Abu Dhabi GP Practice One: Valtteri Bottas ahead, Sebastian Vettel spins
