Charles Leclerc finishes on prime, Arthur Leclerc and Antonio Fuoco additionally on observe

Ferrari ended the 2024 Abu Dhabi assessments on prime. Charles Leclerc clocked the most effective time, setting the benchmark within the last a part of the day with a 1’23″510, a second slower than Oscar Piastri’s finest time within the third and last apply session of the season-ending Grand Prix.

Ferrari additionally fielded Arthur Leclerc and Antonio Fuoco. Charles’ brother completed 14th, whereas the Italian set the slowest time of the day. Nevertheless, Ferrari collected a complete of 275 laps.

Occasions weren’t the groups’ focus. Every labored on gathering information for subsequent season’s Pirelli tires, which explains the number of drivers concerned, from regulars to younger academy members and new recruits.

One such case was Williams, instantly benefiting from Carlos Sainz’s providers. The Spaniard, who joined from Ferrari to switch Franco Colapinto, recorded the second-fastest time, 125 thousandths behind Leclerc. The 1-2 evoked recollections of their current partnership.

Sainz accomplished 146 laps, utilizing the time to familiarize himself with the FW46—not the automotive he’ll drive subsequent yr—however to grasp procedures, techniques, and the conduct of what’s anticipated to kind the premise of the FW47 for 2025. Luke Browning posted the Eleventh-fastest time within the second Grove automotive.

Mercedes positioned each its 2025 full-time drivers within the Prime 5, with George Russell third, 279 thousandths behind Leclerc, and Andrea Kimi Antonelli fifth, 346 thousandths slower than the Ferrari driver. For Russell, it marked the tip of the season earlier than a well-earned trip, whereas for Antonelli, it was one other alternative to get acquainted with Formulation 1 and the tires he’ll race with in 2025 for the Silver Arrows.

Between the 2 Mercedes drivers was Sauber, represented by one in all their two new recruits, Nico Hulkenberg. After a robust season with Haas, the German ended the day lower than a tenth behind Russell. His new teammate Gabriel Bortoleto completed 18th, nine-tenths slower than Hulkenberg’s time.

Ayumu Iwasa positioned the primary Racing Bulls VCARB01 in sixth, forward of McLaren’s Patricio O’Ward. Nevertheless, Iwasa was the primary driver unable to interrupt the 1’24” barrier. Jack Doohan, drawing on his expertise from the Yas Marina weekend, introduced Alpine’s A524 to eighth, adopted by Paul Aron within the second Alpine.

Finishing the Prime 10 was Esteban Ocon, making his debut within the Haas VF-24 after being dropped by Alpine earlier than the ultimate race weekend of 2024. Like Sainz and Hulkenberg, Ocon accomplished important mileage (119 laps) to adapt to his new setting after years defending the Enstone-based group.

Rio Hirakawa, driving the second Haas within the absence of standard driver Oliver Bearman, set the Twelfth-fastest time, forward of Liam Lawson. The Australian, thirteenth, awaits information that would change his life: becoming a member of Purple Bull Racing alongside Max Verstappen in 2025. An announcement is anticipated imminently.

Arthur Leclerc, driving the second SF-24, positioned 14th, forward of the primary Purple Bull RB20 of Isack Hadjar. The Frenchman completed forward of 2024 vice-champion Lando Norris and the second RB20 pushed by Yuki Tsunoda. For Yuki Tsunoda, it was a style of the automotive he’s dreamed of for years, although it comes as a comfort since he gained’t change Perez in Christian Horner’s group.

Oscar Piastri, additionally operating for McLaren, completed nineteenth, forward of Jak Crawford within the first Aston Martin AMR24. The second Aston Martin was twenty first, with Felipe Drugovich simply 17 thousandths slower than Crawford. Frederic Vesti was second-to-last within the Mercedes, whereas Antonio Fuoco, as talked about, closed the timesheets for Ferrari.

Dec 10, 2024Maria Lombardi

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