Charles Leclerc: Tops FP1 in Abu Dhabi

Leclerc has gone quickest in first practice ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the Ferrari driver having set the pace from Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton in a session that saw a number of rookies take part. However, Leclerc looks set to face a grid penalty for Sunday's race with the driver needing to take on a new Energy Store following issues at the start of the session, Formula1.com reports.

Analysis:

Mechanical issues would keep Leclerc off the track in the early minutes of the session, but the team would get new components installed and get him out for the latter half of the practice. He would set the pace with a lap of 1:24.321 edging Norris by two-tenths. The pace was encouraging but Leclerc will likely face a grid penalty for taking on new power unit components.