• Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes arrives at Yas Marina Circuit before first practice session on the second day of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. All photos: Victor Besa / The National
    Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes arrives at Yas Marina Circuit before first practice session on the second day of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. All photos: Victor Besa / The National
  • Carlos Sainz of Ferrari arrives at the circuit before the first practice session on the second day of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
    Carlos Sainz of Ferrari arrives at the circuit before the first practice session on the second day of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
  • Alfa Romeo driver Valtteri Bottas of Alfa Romeo arrives at Yas Marina Circuit before first practice session.
    Alfa Romeo driver Valtteri Bottas of Alfa Romeo arrives at Yas Marina Circuit before first practice session.
  • Alexander Albon of Williams.
    Alexander Albon of Williams.
  • Red Bull driver Sergio Perez arrives at Yas Marina Circuit.
    Red Bull driver Sergio Perez arrives at Yas Marina Circuit.
  • Charles Leclerc of Ferrari.
    Charles Leclerc of Ferrari.
  • Pierre Gasly of Alpine arrives at the circuit before first practice session.
    Pierre Gasly of Alpine arrives at the circuit before first practice session.
  • Kevin Magnussen of Hass F1 Team.
    Kevin Magnussen of Hass F1 Team.
  • Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin.
    Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin.
  • Logan Sargeant of Williams arrives for the first practice session on the second day of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
    Logan Sargeant of Williams arrives for the first practice session on the second day of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
  • George Russell of Merceds arrives at the circuit.
    George Russell of Merceds arrives at the circuit.
  • Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda of AlphaTauri.
    Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda of AlphaTauri.
  • Lando Norris of McLaren poses for a picture with a fan.
    Lando Norris of McLaren poses for a picture with a fan.

Sport

F1

Abu Dhabi F1: Drivers arrive as Max Verstappen sits out Friday practice

Teams will test their machines as they get to grips with Yas Marina Circuit

Steve Luckings
Steve Luckings

November 24, 2023

  • English
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Live updates: Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix

Drivers began arriving at Yas Marina Circuit ahead of Friday's first practice session of the 2023 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Max Verstappen, Red Bull's triple world champion who is chasing a record 19th win of the season when the race gets underway on Sunday, was seen in the team garage after initial rumours the Dutchman had not turned up at the track.

The Dutchman has decided to sit out Friday's practice, as he did at last year's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Ferrari pair Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc were seen arriving as was Mercedes duo Lewis Hamilton and George Russell.

The first practice takes place between 1.30-2.30pm with the evening session starting at 5pm.

To see images of the rest of the drivers arriving, check out the photo gallery above.

Updated: November 24, 2023, 10:21 AM
Max VerstappenRed BullAbu Dhabi Grand Prix 2025