LEWIS HAMILTON is back this weekend as the F1 season concludes in Abu Dhabi.
The Brit star missed the Sakhir GP after testing positive for coronavirus, but will be back in his Mercedes for the season finale.
- Practice 1 start time: 9am BST
- Qualifying: 1pm, Saturday December 12
- Race: 1.10pm, Sunday December 13
Follow ALL the action from Abu Dhabi below…
FLAMING HECK
Kimi Raikkonen’s burned out Alfa Romeo was a sorry sight in the track in Abu Dhabi after it caught fire during FP2.
Flames started coming from the rear of the car before the Finn put the flames out himself.
KAREFUL KIMI!
FP2 was brought to a temporary halt in Abu Dhabi after Kimi Raikkonen’s Alfa Romeo caught fire.
The Fin escaped unharmed as the driver proceeded to put out the flames himself with the marshal’s extinguisher.
FINAL CLASSIFICATION!
Mercedes and Red Bull led the way in FP2 as the Mercedes drivers appear to have found their feet.
FP2 IS FINISHED!
Mercedes lead the way after FP2 in Abu Dhabi.
But it’s Valtteri Bottas not Lewis Hamilton who led the pack with the Brit coming in second.
FP2 IS DONE
A fire for Kimi Raikkonen while George Russell also has an engine problem.
Valtteri Bottas tops the session ahead of Lewis Hamilton and then the two Red Bull of Max Verstappen and Alex Albon.
Lando Norris will be pleased with P5 ahead of Esteban Ocon in P6.
HAMILTON GETS A NEW STEERING WHEEL
The Brit is back in the pitlane and swapped steering wheels after the mechanical glitch.
He now has a new steering wheel and is on his way again. Currently in P2 with seconds remaining.
AND NOW HAMILTON HAS A PROBLEM
The world champion is stuck in the pitlane in front of the Haas garage.
He says he cannot find gear.
Mercedes mechanics are now running to his car, but he is now moving again.
BIT OF A CONCERN FOR RAIKKONEN
TV replays show that Raikkonen had a bit of trouble getting out of his burning car.
It appears that his radio lead was still attached to the car and unable to allow him to get out of his cockpit.
A big tug and it’s free, but that was not good to see.
SESSION RED FLAGGED
Raikkonen is tending to his burning car, squirting the foam where he sees the flames but the damage is already done.
He is going to need a new engine in that car for tomorrow.
MERCEDES WHITEWASH
Normal service has resumed with an hour gone in FP2 in Abu Dhabi.
Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton sitting pretty as the two fastest with 2/3 of the session gone.
RAIKKONEN’S ALFA ROMEO IS ON FIRE
The Finn pulls over and takes a fire extinguisher from the fire marshal
PROBLEM FOR RUSSELL
He is into the pits with smoke from the back of his Williams.
25 MINUTES TO GO
It is Bottas, Hamilton, Verstappen, Albon as Mercedes and Red Bull show once again that they are in a class of their own.
Next it is Lando Norris as McLaren are still locked in a battle with Racing Point for third place in the constructors’ championship.
LEW-KING BETTER
After coming in fifth fastest in FP1, Lewis Hamilton has upped his game in Abu Dhabi and is looking much better in the second session.
HAM-BRAKE OFF
Lewis Hamilton started FP2 much better.
Second fastest after 1/4 of the session.
FINAL WEEKEND FOR A FEW DRIVERS WITH THEIR CURRENT TEAMS
Sergio Perez, who won last out in Bahrain, will be leaving Racing Point at the end of this race.
Carlos Sainz is quitting McLaren for Ferrari.
Sebastian Vettel is leaving Ferrari for Racing Point, who will become Aston Martin.
Kevin Magnussen is leaving Haas, along with the missing Romain Grosjean, who is continuing his recover from burns.
While Daniil Kvyat is expected to be shown the door by AlphaTauri.
NO WORRIES FOR HAMILTON
CONCERN FOR ALBON
The Red Bull man is down in 20th in the timesheets 3.7seconds off the pace.
This weekend is the final time he will get to impress the bosses on track before discovering whether he will get a new deal for next season.
FP2 IS GO!
The second round of practice is off and underway in Abu Dhabi.
Stay here for all your updates as the results come in…
FP2 AND HAMILTON GOES QUICKEST
He is back in the car and back in P1. Yes it is only FP2 but Hamilton is showing no signs of his Covid-19 lay off.
GEORGE-OUS GESTURE
George Russell paid tribute to Frank and Claire Williams who ended their association with F1 after the Italian GP.
Russell had the words ‘Thank you Frank & Claire’ embossed into his helmet and posted a touching photo on Twitter.
FERRARI CEO RETIRES – BREAKING
Ferrari CEO Louis Camilleri has retired from his position with immediate effect.
He has reportedly been battling Covid-19 for a number of weeks which is said to have guided his decision.
The Italian spent time in hospital with the virus and informed senior figures of his decision before FP1 in Abu Dhabi.
Camilleri said: “Ferrari has been a part of my life and serving as its Chief Executive has been a great privilege.
“My admiration for the extraordinary men and women of Maranello and for the passion and dedication they apply to everything they do, knows no bounds.
“I’m proud of the company’s numerous achievements since 2018 and know that Ferrari’s best years are still to come.”
FP1 RESULTS
Max Verstappen led the way at first practice in Abu Dhabi while Haas’ Pietro Fittipaldi was the slowest finisher.
MAXIMIZING POTENTIAL
Max Verstappen finsihed just 0.034 seconds ahead of Valtteri Bottas in the first practice at Abu Dhabi.
The Red Bull star pipped his Mercedes counterpart by the finest of margins setting the benchmark at 1m 37.378s at the Yas Marina circuit.
Renault’s Esteban Ocon was third with Red Bull’s Alex Albon was fourth ahead of Lewis Hamilton.
FP1 IS DONE – VERSTAPPEN LEADS THE WAY
Verstappen is quickest but these conditions are largely irrelevant. It’s hot and sunny in Abu Dhabi whereas Sunday’s race is at night under the spotlights.
But a confidence boost for the Dutchman, who crashed out on the first lap in Bahrain last weekend.
Valtteri Bottas in P2 while Esteban Ocon in third and Alex Albon in fourth.
Lewis Hamilton goes fifth quickest on his return from Covid, but he sets that time on the slower, hard tyre. He was also denied some running owing to a faulty brake pedal.
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
