close global

Welcome to GPFans

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY

  • NL
  • GB
  • ES-MX
  • US
  • GB

Are you a F1 Fan? Follow GP Fans

Edition

NL GB ES-MX US
Surprise team tops timesheets in Abu Dhabi post-season testing

Surprise team tops timesheets in Abu Dhabi post-season testing

Surprise team tops timesheets in Abu Dhabi post-season testing

Surprise team tops timesheets in Abu Dhabi post-season testing

Alpine's Esteban Ocon was the fastest driver on the track during post-season testing at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Now an important part of the schedule, the young drivers and Pirelli tyre tests at the end of the season act as a way for teams to gain some last-minute data ahead of the next campaign, as well as an opening for rookies to jump behind the wheel.

While the majority of manufacturers and drivers focus on racking up as many laps as possible, it will still come as some surprise that Ocon topped the session, particularly given how slow the Alpine car has been in 2023.

There was more misery for Mercedes as George Russell's session was ended by a crash, while newly-crowned Formula 2 champion Theo Pourchaire made an appearance - albeit one disrupted by technical issues.

Esteban Ocon topped the timesheet in the end of season testing
George Russell crashed during the session after a car failure on his W14
Rookie Frederik Vesti was given an outing with Mercedes

Lowdown on the action

Behind Ocon, IndyCar driver Pato O'Ward managed to put in a time quick enough for second with his McLaren team.

Red Bull's Sergio Perez could only finish fourth despite completing 117 laps of the Yas Marina Circuit.

Other rookies given a chance included Ferrari's Robert Shwartzman, 2022 F2 champion Felipe Drugovich and Jack Doohan, all fresh from their outings during FP1 at the same track.

The session was originally delayed for 25 minutes due to the absence of a medical helicopter, and included two red flags after car failures for Russell and Ayumu Iwasa in the AlphaTauri.

READ MORE: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: How all 10 rookie drivers got on in FP1

Related

Bottas reveals Alfa Romeo loss after testing breakdown
Alfa Romeo - Valtteri Bottas

Bottas reveals Alfa Romeo loss after testing breakdown

  • February 28, 2023 14:32
F1 pre-season testing 2023: Which team topped the speed charts?
F1 Testing

F1 pre-season testing 2023: Which team topped the speed charts?

  • February 28, 2023 10:56

Latest News

F1 Superstars

Red Bull star's SHOCK Hamilton comments re-surface after F1 promotion

  • 20 minutes ago
Latest F1 News

Perez F1 drive CONFIRMED by team boss

  • 1 hour ago
F1 Features

Mercedes pull Hamilton replacement MASTERSTROKE with new 2025 driver signing

  • 2 hours ago
Lewis Hamilton

Hamilton Ferrari debut date 'CONFIRMED'

  • 3 hours ago
F1 Today

F1 News Today: Red Bull BOMBSHELL emerges as F1 star set to sign with RIVAL

  • Today 06:57
GPFans Recap

Ricciardo tipped for F1 COMEBACK as Ferrari tease huge unveiling - GPFans Recap

  • Yesterday 23:57
More news

Related news

More news

F1 Standings

Do Not Sell My Personal Information
Ontdek het op Google Play
x