Charles Leclerc recorded the fastest time during the first free practice session of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on Friday afternoon. In doing so, the Monegasque stayed ahead of Max Verstappen and Valtteri Bottas, while Carlos Sainz achieved P4.

The practice session got off to a quiet start. Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez battled for the fastest time, which the Dutchman eventually managed to grab. Meanwhile, there was less good news for Kevin Magnussen. The driver, who managed a great fifth place last week, had to get out of his car early because of hydraulics.

AlphaTauri seemed to have things better under control. The stable already showed last weekend that it has a powerful car and continued that line in Saudi Arabia. With a second place for Tsunoda and third place for Gasly, it immediately showed what it was capable of.

Norris causes red flag

Lando Norris caused a red flag after just under half an hour of racing, after he drove hard into the wall, loosening a board along the side. The FIA could do nothing but send the teams in and clean up the board, after which the drivers were soon allowed back on track.

It was a moment for Ferrari to send Leclerc and Carlos Sainz onto the asphalt. Both drivers showed themselves handsomely in Bahrain with a first and second place finish and wanted to show again that they are there in Saudi Arabia. Leclerc managed to set the second time, which was faster than Gasly. Sainz finished in sixth place.

Perez and Hamilton outside top three

Perez did not manage to finish in the top three. The Mexican had to settle for a fifth final spot, keeping him ahead of Sainz and Lewis Hamilton. The performance of George Russell in the first free practice was still not to write home about. The driver came not further than fifteenth place.