Double Red Flag interruptions limits FP2 running in Abu Dhabi

Two simultaneous Red Flags left drivers with limited running in the most valuable practice session of the Abu Dhabi GP weekend, with Charles Leclerc managing to set the fastest time in spite of the FP2 interruptions. 

Following FP1’s high density of rookie participation, the usual 20 drivers were handed back the reigns for the all-important, representative Free Practice 2 session. 

With Isack Hadjar commandeering his RB19 in the earlier session, Max Verstappen finally headed out onto the Yas Marina Circuit for the first time this weekend.

The Dutchman immediately set an early benchmark, crossing the line with a time of 1:26.453s.

As the rest of the first flying lap attempts began rolling in, Verstappen was relegated, with FP1’s fastest man, George Russell, finding himself on top once again with a time of 1:25.906s.

Daniel Ricciardo rose to an early P2, sitting four-tenths back on Russell, with Lance Stroll and Kevin Magnussen slotting in behind. 

Running was short-lived, however, with a Red Flag being called under 10 minutes into the session. 

Carlos Sainz climbs out of his damaged SF-23 after crashing out in FP2. Image: Zak Mauger / LAT Images.

A combination of a snap from dirty air and a significant bump on the track sent Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari hurdling into the barriers at Turn 3. 

As the crane lifted the SF-23, significant damage to the floor, sidepod and nose of the Ferrari could be seen, making for a long, costly night of repairs for the Italian team.

As a result, drivers lost over 25 minutes of track action while the circuit was cleared and barriers were repaired.

As the drivers emerged from their garages, a huge queue formed in the pitlane headed by the Haas duo.

Before the green light was on in the pitlane, games were already being played, with an unhappy Verstappen requesting Williams’ ‘cutting in line’ antics to be reported. 

Lewis Hamilton and Daniel Ricciardo also had a little tussle in the fast lane, driving alongside one another after the AlphaTauri attempted to cut into the queue.

Drivers didn’t even have time to complete their out laps before the second Red Flag of the evening was called.

Nico Hulkenberg lost grip in his Haas as he travelled along the kerb at the first corner, spinning into the barriers on the inside of Turn 1 and making heavy rear contact as a result. 

Nico Hulkenberg inspects his damaged Haas after crashing out in FP2. Image: Steven Tee / LAT Images.

His Haas was left stricken, prompting the second interrupting to FP2. 

The clean-up was far quicker than Sainz’s incident, however, leaving the rest of the grid with only 16 minutes on the clock as the session restarted.

Exiting the pitlane, Verstappen was visibly frustrated, hastily overtaking both Mercedes and an Alpine in the tight tunnel exit.

With run plans drastically changing, there was a mixture of both soft and medium tyre runners on the track.

On Charles Leclerc’s soft tyre run, the Ferrari driver crossed the line with a time of 1:24.809s, extending the fastest time by over two-tenths.

Mercedes focused on their race pace, with Hamilton and Russell’s attempts on the medium tyre leaving their positions on the timing sheets unchanged. 

Verstappen, also looking at the race pace of his RB19, jumped to P9 and was sitting over a second behind Leclerc’s fastest time. 

The Dutchman was unhappy with his car, complaining of it “jumping like a kangaroo” through Sector 3. 

Max Verstappen during FP2 at the Abu Dhabi GP. Image: Glenn Dunbar / LAT Images.

Lando Norris set three personal best sectors on the soft tyre, falling just 43 milliseconds short on the #16’s time as he improved to P2.

With five minutes remaining, many drivers had returned to the garage to make the strategic switch to the red-marked tyre. 

As Verstappen rejoined the session, he was dealt a late warning by his team, exiting the pitlane as a fast-flying Oscar Piastri zoomed by. 

It didn’t impact his own out lap, however, with the three-time world champion jumping to P3, just 0.173 seconds behind P1.

At the chequered flag, the top three remained unchanged, with Leclerc leading over Norris and Verstappen as the field conducted their practice starts. 

With many drivers having missed out on FP1 to allow for their team’s required young driver tests along with the added pain of FP2’s red flags, Free Practice 3 will be all the more important for the drivers to familiarise themselves with the Yas Marina Circuit ahead of qualifying tomorrow. 

FP3 will take place at 9:30 PM, Saturday AEST, followed by qualifying from 1:00 AM, Sunday morning.

Free Practice 3 Results:

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