First Free Practice Results 2024 Saudi Arabian F1 GP

F1 Race Event: Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
Race Track: Jeddah Corniche Circuit

Weather: dry  27.0°C
Tarmac: dry  39.5°C
Humidity : 55.0%
Wind : 21.6 km/h South
Pressure: 1012 mbar

Verstappen Dominates Jeddah's FP1 with Red Bull Brilliance

The 2024 Formula 1 season's second round at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit in Saudi Arabia served up an intense and exciting opening day, setting the stage for what promises to be a thrilling weekend of racing. Max Verstappen, the Red Bull maestro, commenced the weekend's action with a commanding performance in the first practice session, underpinning his intent to conquer one of the few tracks that eluded him in the previous season.

Despite the searing heat and humidity, the drivers took to the track, with FP1 unfolding under the stark daylight, offering a prelude to the cooler, more representative conditions expected for the evening's second practice. Among the notable occurrences, Lance Stroll experienced an early mishap, becoming the first driver to grapple with Jeddah's unforgiving walls.

The session witnessed a keenly contested battle behind Verstappen, with Aston Martin emerging as the nearest challengers, while George Russell also demonstrated formidable pace, hinting at a potentially competitive weekend ahead. The tightly packed midfield, comprising Ferrari and McLaren, further accentuated the uncertainties looming over the pecking order.

Halfway through the session, the top 10 order was as follows: 1. Norris, 1:30.424 min (S), 2. Russell, +0.130s (H), 3. Albon, +0.323s (S), 4. Pérez, +0.380s (S), 5. Verstappen, +0.489s (H), 6. Leclerc, +.0,511s (H), 7. Alonso, +0.537s (H), 8. Hamilton, +0.585s, (H), 9. Ricciardo, +0.816s (H) 10. Bottas, +0.897s (S).

Notably, Red Bull and Haas opted for an unconventional approach, abstaining from the soft tires to focus on the medium and hard compounds, likely in anticipation of the strategic intricacies that the race under the lights would necessitate. Verstappen, undeterred by the issues that marred his previous weekend's practice, clinched the top spot, with his teammate not far behind, signaling a robust start for the Red Bulls.

The incident involving Charles Leclerc, who had a peculiar encounter with debris on the track, added an unexpected twist to the proceedings, though it fortunately didn't culminate in significant repercussions for the Ferrari ace.

As the teams and drivers delved deeper into their programs, fine-tuning their setups and strategies, the intense Jeddah heat appeared to play a pivotal role in tire management, with several teams assessing the durability of the soft compounds over longer stints.

In an environment where every fraction of a second could pivot the weekend's outcome, the anticipation for FP2 and the subsequent qualifying and race day was palpably escalating. With the backdrop of the stunning Red Sea, the stage is set for a riveting contest, reflecting the relentless dynamism and intrigue that encapsulates the pinnacle of motorsport. As the sun sets and the floodlights ignite, the true test at Jeddah awaits, promising high-speed drama and unyielding competition.

The best sector times around the Jeddah circuit during FP1 were:

• Sector 1: 32.615 sec by Max Verstappen (Red Bull RB20)
• Sector 2: 28.387 sec by Sergio Pérez (Red Bull RB20)
• Sector 3: 28.524 sec by George Russell (Mercedes W15)

The quickest lap time of last year's first practice was a 1:29,617 min driven by Max Verstappen on a set of soft tyres underneath the Red Bull RB19

FP1 Times Table 2024 Saudi Arabian GP

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