Charles Leclerc set the fastest time during the second practice session for the Abu Dhabi GP, while teammate Carlos Sainz had a serious crash at the Yas Marina Circuit. Max Verstappen rode the third fastest time.
Sunset hour at Yas Marina
FP2 is up next! #AbuDhabiGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/tLwu7RFQO1
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 24, 2023
The second practice session for the Abu Dhabi GP was held under more representative conditions than the first, as the sun was setting and therefore the track conditions were more comparable to those during qualifying and the race later this weekend.
RED FLAG
Carlos Sainz goes spinning off into the barriers at Turn 3
Driver has exited the car and is OK#AbuDhabiGP #F1 pic.com/uXz65uC5VX
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 24, 2023
Soon in the session we received a red flag for the first time, the Spaniard Carlos Sainz had crashed heavily and the Ferrari mechanics were therefore presented with ‘overtime’. Fortunately, Sainz himself emerged from the crash without serious injuries.
With about 26 minutes left on the clock the session resumed but we soon received another red flag. This time it was Nico Hulkenberg who spun and crashed into the barriers. The rear wing on his Haas F1 car was seriously damaged.
Maybe not…
RED FLAG
Hulkenberg spins at the exit of Turn 1 and has damage to his rear wing#AbuDhabiGP #F1 pic.com/X4neNkNDr0— Formula 1 (@F1) November 24, 2023
Since many regular drivers had given up their cars during the first practice session and a lot of time had also been lost during the second practice session, the drivers were queuing at the exit of the pit lane to get onto the track as quickly as possible.
Dj vu, anyone?
A busy pit lane as we wait to head out again for FP2#AbuDhabiGP #F1 pic.com/3MgjjIwpdU— Formula 1 (@F1) November 24, 2023
There was literally drumming when leaving the pit lane and in the tunnel near the exit of the pit lane, overtaking maneuvers were even attempted. Not at least in the leading role: Max Verstappen.
GREEN LIGHT
Overtaking in the Yas Marina tunnel
Max Verstappen is keen to get out on track with only 16 minutes of FP2 to go #AbuDhabiGP #F1 pic.com/d4Lwospbpa— Formula 1 (@F1) November 24, 2023
Ultimately, it was Charles Leclerc who set the fastest time in the Ferrari, ahead of Lando Norris in the McLaren Max Verstappen who completed the top three. Because many drivers gave up their cars to a young, less experienced driver during the first practice session, and the second practice session was often interrupted, it is difficult to predict how the rest of the race weekend will go. So everything is still possible during qualifying and the race.