EL1 – Bottas in the lead at Mugello, Verstappen and Leclerc on the lookout

Highly anticipated, this test session for the Tuscan Grand Prix was rather calm. Although some times were recorded, the first part of FP1 was used by the drivers to get their bearings on Mugello, a circuit still unknown to most of the grid.

It was during the second half of the session that things accelerated. After a timid start, the drivers put on the red tires (the softest this weekend) in order to complete the first series of fast laps.

And in this game, Valtteri Bottas showed himself to be the strongest. La Flèche d’Argent N°77 climbed to the top of the timesheet thanks to a lap completed in 1’17”879. Behind the Finn, the times were very close. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) finished only 48 thousandths behind the pilot Mercedes while Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) ranked third, three tenths off the lead. What will fans dream of this weekend? Lewis Hamilton for its part is in 4th place in 1’18”409.

 This track  #TuscanGP  #F1 pic.twitter.com/v3UExizoaZ

— Formula 1 (@F1) September 11, 2020

Strong man of the Italian Grand Prix last week, Pierre Gasly (Alpha Tauri) had a great practice session this Friday, setting the fifth time just ahead of his compatriot Esteban Ocon (Renault). The last French representative, Romain Grosjean is 12th. The team driver Haas encountered some technical problems, particularly when changing gears, and was unable to benefit from the full power of its car.

At the heart of the news this weekend due to his transfer to Aston Martin in 2021, Sebastian Vettel remained behind. The German settled for 13th place, 1'4 behind Max Verstappen and 1 second behind Charles Leclerc. Perhaps he opted for a calm strategy before FP2 this afternoon or perhaps he failed to get the most out of his SF1000 unlike his teammate? To be continued…

The Racing Points of Lance stroll and Sergio Pérez as well as the Williams de Nicholas latifi bring up the rear.

FP1 Classification

 @ValtteriBottas
 @Max33Verstappen
 @Charles_Leclerc #TuscanGP  #F1 pic.twitter.com/DsjrjChC0d

- Formula 1 (@ F1) September 11, 2020

The start of the second free practice session of the day is scheduled for 15:00 p.m.