F1 practice LIVE: Max Verstappen fastest in second practice ahead of George Russell and Charles Leclerc
Follow all the build-up to first practice at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton returns to the scene of the toughest moment of his career as the 2022 F1 season concludes with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix this weekend.
The Mercedes driver - who has one more shot at preserving his year-on-year win record in Formula 1 - missed out on a record-breaking eighth world title in 2021 in thrilling and controversial circumstances at Yas Marina, as Max Verstappen benefited from a botched safety car and lapped cars procedure to overtake Hamilton on the final lap.
Verstappen has cruised to a second world title this year but comes into the season finale under a dark cloud, after disobeying team orders in not allowing Sergio Perez to pass him in the closing stages of the Brazilian Grand Prix last Sunday.
Perez is level on points with Charles Leclerc in the battle for second place in the World Championship, while Mercedes are just 19 points off Ferrari in the Constructors’ Standings after George Russell led a one-two finish at Interlagos.
Follow F1 updates live with The Independent - FP1 starts at 10am (GMT)
Abu Dhabi Grand Pix - FP2
Leclerc still holds the current best lap time but Esteban Ocon is his closest contender just +0.3 seconds behind. Carlos Sainz is up to third with both Red Bulls, Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez, behind them.
No surprises that they’re up near the top.
Abu Dhabi Grand Pix - FP2
Daniel Ricciardo has a bit of trouble after his first lap on the track. He’s out there on the mediums but gets on the radio to say he “nearly lost it at Turn Three”.
McLaren respond with instructions to come back into the pits for a change of set-up. The problem seems to be with the rear suspension.
Abu Dhabi Grand Pix - FP2
Charles Leclerc takes control of the early laps with a fast time of 1:26.045 which is already quicker than Lewis Hamilton’s winning lap in FP1.
Most of the teams are out on medium tyres including George Russell who has just headed out for Mercedes.
Red Bull return for Ricciardo?
Daniel Ricciardo will not be on the grid for the 2023 season after being let go by McLaren. Rumours abound about where he would end up and the Australian was a contender to join the Silver Arrows.
According to reports from Abu Dhabi though Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko has told Sky Sports that Ricciardo will be the team’s third driver next season.
Abu Dhabi Grand Pix - FP2
Mercedes are still doing a bit of work on Lewis Hamilton’s W13 so he’s still in the garage as the first cars head out onto the track.
Max Verstappen was sat is his car waiting to go for around 10 minutes before the start of the session. The World Champion seems very eager to get out there.
Abu Dhabi Grand Pix - FP2
Let’s get to it!
The second practice session of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix gets underway. The morning session featured eight rookie drivers across various teams but it’s back to business this afternoon.
Max Verstappen heads out onto the track for Red Bull after sitting out the morning. He’ll have one eye on topping the leaderboard after Mercedes’ one-two this morning.
Haas bring back Hulkenberg
Haas boss Guenther Steiner said we would find out in Abu Dhabi had been chosen to partner Kevin Magnussen for 2023 it’s F1 veteran Nico Hulkenberg.
The 35-year-old will return to the grid next year for the first time since being dropped by Renault in 2019. He has subbed during the last few seasons, standing in for drivers at Racing Point/Aston Martin.
“I’m very happy to move into a full-time race seat with Haas F1 team in 2023 - I feel like I never really left Formula 1,” said Hulkenberg.
Abu Dhabi Grand Pix - FP2
The sun is setting over the Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi as the second of Friday’s practice sessions ticks closer.
The conditions on track for this run out will be a lot closer to the race on Sunday so this session should give the teams more of an idea how well the cars will be running for the Grand Prix.
Vettel says goodbye
The 2022 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will be the final race in Formula 1 for Aston Martin’s Sebastian Vettel who will be retiring from the sport at the end of the season.
Ferrari reject claims Mattia Binotto will be sacked as team principal
Ferrari have rejected claims that team principal Mattia Binotto will be axed after the end of the 2022 Formula 1 season.
A report by Italian outlet Gazzette dello Sport stated Binotto - who has been under intense scrutiny this year after a number of high-profile strategic errors from the Ferrari pit wall - would be replaced by Alfa Romeo team principal Fred Vasseur for the 2023 season.
It added that Vasseur was highly regarded by Ferrari, who supply engines to the Alfa Romeo team - which are the Sauber operation to be supplied by Audi from 2026.
However, Ferrari have moved to dismiss the speculation in a short statement online.
Ferrari reject claims Mattia Binotto will be sacked as team principal
A report in Italian media stated Binotto would be replaced by Alfa Romeo’s Fred Vasseur but the Scuderia have stated those rumours are ‘totally without foundation’
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