The Scuderia expected not to have a competitive weekend at Losail (Qatar). It was certainly only the free practice session, the only one of the weekend, but it demonstrated that Ferrari had in any case started on the right foot. The Italian team, which is seeking a first constructors' world title since 2008, hopes to take back big points from Andrea Stella's men in Qatar. Charles Leclerc actually set the best time, ahead of Lando Norris (+0 »425) and Oscar Piastri (+0 »472).
On the hard rubber, the two red single-seaters dominated the competition despite being shod on medium tires in the first part of the session. They also did it again on the soft rubber with the Monegasque, who set the best time at the end of the session. First with a margin of 2/10th over the McLarens on his first train, Leclerc finally improved at the very end to gain even more comfort with almost half a second better at the checkered flag. Note that the driver of the No. 16 was equipped with the experimental flat bottom that Carlos Sainz had in EL1 in Las Vegas, with a view to work on the 2025 car. The Spaniard finished 4th.
Without knowing to what extent the gaps and positions really reflect the forces present, the top 10 was quite surprising behind the Ferrari and McLaren drivers. In great shape at the moment and eager to be promoted to Red Bull in 2025, Yuki Tsunoda completes the top 5, ahead of… Valtteri Bottas (6th) and Lance Stroll (7th). Winner in Las Vegas at the end of a dominant weekend, George Russell only set the 8th fastest time, in times similar to those of his teammate Lewis Hamilton, 10th. World champion Max Verstappen set the 11th fastest time.
On the French side, Pierre Gasly confirmed Alpine's good intentions from Austin on a flying lap. The Habs spent almost their entire session in the top 5, before ranking 15th without having to pass any sets of soft rubber. Little driving to be recorded, however, for Esteban Ocon, with only 21 laps completed and a final time in the same conditions. His mechanics seemed to be working on the right front of his car at the start of the session. Meet at 6:30 p.m. French time for the sprint qualification.
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