Qatar – EL1: Charles Leclerc ideally launches the Ferrari-McLaren duel

La Team expected not to have a competitive weekend in Losail (Qatar). It was certainly only the free practice session, the only one of the weekend, but it showed that Ferrari had in any case started off on the right foot. The Italian team, which is aiming for its first constructors' world title since 2008, hopes to take back big points from Andrea Stella's men in Qatar. Charles Leclerc actually signed the best time, ahead of Lando Norris (+0 »425) and Oscar piastri (+0 »472).

On the hard rubber, the two red single-seaters dominated the competition, which was nevertheless fitted with medium tyres in the first part of the session. They also did the same on the soft rubber with the Monegasque, who set the best time at the end of the session. Initially with a margin of 2/10ths over the McLaren on his first train, Leclerc finally improved at the very end to take even more comfort with almost half a second better at the damir. Note that the driver of the n°16 was equipped with the experimental flat bottom that had Carlos Sainz in EL1 in Las Vegas, in preparation for work on the 2025 car. The Spaniard finished 4th.

Without knowing to what extent the gaps and positions really reflect the forces at play, the top 10 was quite surprising behind the Ferrari and McLaren drivers. In great form at the moment and eager to be promoted to Red Bull in 2025, Yuki tsunoda completes the top 5, ahead of… Valtteri Bottas (6e) and Lance stroll (7th). Winner in Las Vegas after a dominant weekend, George Russell only posted the 8th fastest time, in similar times to those of his teammate. Lewis Hamilton, 10th. The world champion Max Verstappen he signed the 11th fastest time.

French side, Pierre Gasly confirmed the good arrangements ofAlpine from Austin on a flying lap. The Tricolore spent almost his entire session in the top 5, before finishing 15th without having used soft tires. Little running to be recorded on the other hand at Esteban Ocon, with only 21 laps completed and a final time in the same conditions. His mechanics seemed to be busy on the front right of his car at the start of the session. Meet at 18:30 p.m. French time for the sprint qualification.

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