F1 2023 practice results: FP1 timings from the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

All the results from the first practice session of the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix with Max Verstappen topping the timesheet.

It was an event without real incident as all 20 cars completed a full hour of smooth running. After a mix in tyre compounds in the opening half of FP1, the grid soon moved onto the softs to put in some quick laps with Verstappen’s 1:29.617 being the fastest of the lot of them.

The man of the moment Fernando Alonso suggested his podium in Bahrain was not a one-off as he continued to put in quick times, finishing third on the timesheet.

Further down the grid, Lewis Hamilton said he was struggling for grip and soon learned that the cars at the top were lapping half a second quicker than he was. He ended the session P6 while his team-mate George Russell was in P5.

Elsewhere, there was news of parts replacement with Lando Norris taking a whole new power unit following his issues in Bahrain. The McLaren man will avoid a penalty though as all of his replacement parts are within his allocation.

Norris was also shown a black and white flag for failing to follow the race director’s instructions.

Saudi Arabian FP1 results in full:

1 Max VERSTAPPEN Red Bull Racing 1:29.617
2 Sergio PEREZ Red Bull Racing +0.483
3 Fernando ALONSO Aston Martin +0.698
4 Lance STROLL Aston Martin +0.960
5 George RUSSELL Mercedes +1.154
6 Lewis HAMILTON Mercedes+1.170
7 Carlos SAINZ Ferrari +1.307
8 Pierre GASLY Alpine +1.332
9 Alexander ALBON Williams +1.413
10 Yuki TSUNODA AlphaTauri +1.493
11 Charles LECLERC Ferrari +1.501
12 Esteban OCON Alpine +1.564
13 Nyck DE VRIES AlphaTauri +1.833
14 Oscar PIASTRI McLaren +1.874
15 Nico HULKENBERG Haas F1 Team +1.935
16 Kevin MAGNUSSEN Haas F1 Team +1.949
17 Logan SARGEANT Williams +2.305
18 Valtteri BOTTAS Alfa Romeo +2.353
19 ZHOU Guanyu Alfa Romeo +2.369
20 Lando NORRIS McLaren +2.532