Formula 1 News: Russell tops opening practice in Abu Dhabi

In a session dominated by junior drivers replacing regulars, George Russell turned the fastest lap in FP1 for the Abu Dhabi GP.

Russell turned a lap of 1m26.072s in his #63 Mercedes, 0.288s faster than Felipe Drugovich subbing for Fernando Alonso in the Aston Martin.

Daniel Ricciardo with a new floor in the AlphaTauri was third quick, 0.361s behind the Mercedes.

Valtteri Bottas was 4th for Alfa Romeo’s last race in F1, 0,381s back,

Lance Stroll, embarrassed by Drugovich in the same Aston Martin car, was 5th, 0.559s behind on the still dusty and hot Abu Dhabi GP track.

The rookies all did well not to crash any equipment, but the real action will kick off a little later on with FP2, and the return of Verstappen, Perez, Leclerc, Hamilton, etc. on a cooler track when the sun goes down.

What can the Red Bull boys do when they get their cars back? Will Mercedes stay top, or can Ferrari come back into the reckoning.

2023 Abu Dhabi GP Practice 1 Results