Ferrari trial new front wing in Abu Dhabi

Ferrari: Trial new front wing
Ferrari tried to find some early answers to 2019 with a new front wing in Abu Dhabi. Marcus Ericsson, meanwhile, damaged his…
Here is how the opening day of track action unfolded in Abu Dhabi.
McLaren honoured Fernando Alonso ahead of his 312th and final F1 grand prix with a special livery for his MCL33.
Thanks @Mclaren for the special livery. Love it 😍💙❤️💛 pic.twitter.com/K5DUYhODmH
— Fernando Alonso (@alo_oficial) November 21, 2018
Lewis Hamilton’s W09 sported the number ‘1’ after the reigning World Champion reportedly requested special permission to run it.
Robert Kubica replaced Sergey Sirotkin in FP1, he’ll also replace the Russian driver at Williams permanently in 2019.
Robert hits the track to start #FP1#AbuDhabiGP 🇦🇪 pic.twitter.com/eGTkgtNMUQ
— WILLIAMS RACING (@WilliamsRacing) November 23, 2018
Kimi Raikkonen’s Ferrari sported a new-look front wing based on the 2019 design – but still compliant with the 2018 regulations.
El morro q ha probado Ferrari en esta primera salida. Sin cajetín d flaps. Mirada puesta a reglamento 2019. pic.twitter.com/djuIgrNJj4
— Albert Fabrega (@AlbertFabrega) November 23, 2018
This weekend’s grand prix marks Daniel Ricciardo’s final race as a Red Bull driver. He desperately wants to end it with a podium if not better.
21 races into a 21-race season and McLaren are still trying to understand their front wing.
It was hot in Abu Dhabi, hotter still for the over-worked Pirelli tyres.
Drumroll please! 🥁
Thermal cameras have returned to Formula 1! 🙌
Now you can see just how hot those Pirelli tyres get during a lap 👀#C4F1 🇦🇪 #AbuDhabiGP pic.twitter.com/9Gbdbc9EHM
— Channel 4 F1® (@C4F1) November 23, 2018
Marcus Ericsson met the barrier…
And Max Verstappen finished the session fastest of all, almost half a second up his Red Bull team-mate Ricciardo.
In the break between FP1 and FP2, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff confirmed Esteban Ocon will indeed be their reserve driver next season.
Toto Wolff has confirmed Esteban Ocon will be Mercedes' reserve driver in 2019.https://t.co/iggLcf4Ono #F1 pic.twitter.com/7Gd4aO1VLY
— Planet F1 (@Planet_F1) November 23, 2018
Fernando Alonso was then giving out free tickets to his gun show…
FP2 began where FP1 left off with Mercedes and Red Bull duelling over top spot in the early stages.
And it was Valtteri Bottas who eventually came out on top in the qualifying simulation runs, posting a 1:37.236 heading into qualy day on Saturday.
Follow all the action from the season finale in Abu Dhabi with the PlanetF1 race hub.