F1: IndyCar’s O’Ward schools European F1 hopefuls in testing

Two concurrent F1 tests are underway at Abu Dhabi today:

  1. All of the teams taking part in 18-inch tire testing using 2018 Mule cars – modified 2018 cars built to run the newer, bigger wheels that are set to be introduced in 2022.
  2. A dedicated Young Driver Test. All of the teams are fielding a junior driver (of two Grands Prix experience or fewer), who are able to drive the 2021 cars on the outgoing 13-inch wheels.

The morning session of the first day saw McLaren’s IndyCar driver Pato O’Ward get his first experience in an F1 car, where he set the pace.

Tuesday Morning Times

Pos Driver Team Time Laps Car
1. Pato O’Ward McLaren 1:25.260 48 2021
2. Oscar Piastri Alpine 1:25.480 59 2021
3. Nyck de Vries Mercedes 1:25.549 35 2021
4. Nick Yelloly Aston Martin 1:26.254 54 2021
5. Guanyu Zhou Alfa Romeo 1:26.263 42 2021
6. Liam Lawson AlphaTauri 1:26.365 62 2021
7. Lance Stroll Aston Martin 1:26.579 64 2018 Mule
8. Juri Vips Red Bull 1:26.647 71 2021
9. Charles Leclerc Ferrari 1:26.989 87 2018 Mule
10. Antonio Fuoco Ferrari 1:27.324 70 2021
11. Yuki Tsunoda AlphaTauri 1:27.348 50 2018 Mule
12. Logan Sargeant Williams 1:27.476 76 2021
13. Daniel Ricciardo McLaren 1:27.508 36 2018 Mule
14. Esteban Ocon Alpine 1:28.112 58 2018 Mule
15. Max Verstappen Red Bull 1:28.978 47 2018 Mule
16. Valtteri Bottas Alfa Romeo 1:29.601 47 2018 Mule
17. George Russell Mercedes 1:30.134 57 2018 Mule
18. Mick Schumacher Haas 1:30.345 25 2018 Mule