Charles Leclerc quickest at French Grand Prix Free Practice 1 for Ferrari, Red Bull's Max Verstappen second
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Updated 22/07/2022 at 17:11 GMT
Charles Leclerc built on his momentum following his success at the Austrian Grand Prix, but Red Bull challenger - and current world champion - Max Verstappen was second quickest. Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton sat out the session as rookie Nick De Vries was given the opportunity to get some miles on the clock.
Charles Leclerc
Image credit: Getty Images
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was quickest at the first practice session of the French Grand Prix.
The Monegasque put down a time of 1:33.930 at Circuit Paul Ricard which is just a couple of hundred miles from his home country of Monaco.
Leclerc will be hoping to build on his success at the previous race in Austria, which saw him claim a win to regain some momentum in the drivers’ championship.
Second place then and in FP1 was Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, whose vehicle boasted some tape strapping on its right side.
The final podium place in Spielberg went to Lewis Hamilton, who was sitting out the session on Friday afternoon in order to allow Nyck De Vries - current Formula E champion - a runout as one the obligatory sessions for rookies.
Carlos Sainz, who will take a grid penalty after using a new control electronics unit following a dramatic fire in Austria, was in third.
Fifth went to Pierre Gasly of AlphaTauri, who earlier had complained of engine trouble making his car impossible to drive.
FP2 begins at 4pm BST on Friday afternoon, with Saturday featuring FP3 and qualifying before Sunday’s race proper.
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