F1, GP Qatar, Ferrari shines in free practice: first Leclerc, fourth Sainz

F1, GP Qatar, Ferrari shines in the first free practice: first Leclerc, fourth Sainz

The Qatar Grand Prix opens in the sign of Ferrari. On the Lusail track, in fact, Charles Leclerc signed the best time of the first and only free practice session, stopping the clock on'1'21"953. Fourth place for his teammate Carlos Sainz, more than half a second distant.

Sandwiched between the two Reds are the two McLarens of Lando Norris, finishing second four tenths behind the Monegasque, and Oscar Piastri, in third. Rounding out the top 5 is the Racing Bulls of Yuki Tsunoda.

Sixth was the Kick Sauber of Valtteri Bottas, ahead of the Aston Martin of Lance Stroll, seventh. Eighth and 10th places respectively for the Mercedes of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton, separated by Alexander Albon (Williams). Badly the Red Bulls: Max Verstappen only 11th, Sergio Perez even 18th.

F1, GP Qatar, FP finishing order:

1 C. Leclerc Ferrari 1:21.953

2 L. Norris McLaren 1:22.378

3 O. Piastri McLaren 1:22.425

4 C. Sainz Ferrari 1:22.535

5 Y. Tsunoda RB 1:23.045

6 V. Bottas Kick Sauber 1:23.064

7 L. Stroll Aston Martin 1:23.099

8 G. Russell Mercedes 1:23.160

9 A. Albon Williams 1:23.161

10 L. Hamilton Mercedes 1:23.188

11 M. Verstappen Red Bull 1:23.213

12 F. Alonso Aston Martin 1:23.227

13 N. Hülkenberg Haas 1:23.245

14 L. Lawson RB 1:23.562

15 P. Gasly Alpine 1:23.620

16 K. Magnussen Haas 1:23.715

17 G. Zhou Kick Sauber 1:23.880

18 S. Perez Red Bull 1:24.039

19 F. Colapinto Williams 1:24.200 

20 E. Ocon Alpine1:24.280