Verstappen tops FP2 ahead of Abu Dhabi GP: Top three teams in the mix

Max Verstappen has topped the second free practice session for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend. The top three drivers are from three different teams, proving Red Bull, Mercedes and Ferrari all have a chance of success this weekend. George Russell finished in P2, with Charles Leclerc rounding out the top three.

A proper FP2 session

During the first free practice in Abu Dhabi, eight drivers relinquished their cars to rookies. Only AlphaTauri and Mercedes fielded their two regular drivers during practice. One veteran, an intended future Formula 1 driver, and several rookies making their debut in the sport this weekend. The names included Logan Sargeant (Williams), Jack Doohan (Alpine), Pietro Fittipaldi (Haas), Felipe Drugovich (Aston Martin), Pato O'Ward (McLaren), Robert Kubica (Alfa Romeo), Robert Shwartzman (Ferrari) and Liam Lawson (Red Bull).  

There were a few issues for these drivers. Sargeant spun at turn one, Doohan cooked his engine whilst sitting in the pitlane unable to move, O'Ward had a systems failure at McLaren and Lawson almost missed his pit box. But overall, most managed to impress their employers and proved why the new 2022 rookie practice rule has become a success. 

This meant that eight drivers were making their first appearance of the weekend in the second free practice session. With conditions replicating those that we will see in qualifying and Sunday's Grand Prix, the track became busy straight away. All drivers emerged from the pitlane apart from George Russell and Lewis Hamilton who topped FP1 for Mercedes.

Daniel Ricciardo reported an issue with his grid box. He noticed a slippy patch of concrete in the middle of their grid box and requested that it be changed for the rest of the weekend. It was a much better session for the British team, who experienced problems on Norris' car in FP1 earlier. But it wasn't good enough for their standards, as they finished below both Alpine drivers. Those two teams battle for 4th place in the Constructors' Championship this weekend. 

The two protagonists this weekend, Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez, traded times towards the top for much of the session but it was the Ferrari driver who finished two places ahead in third. Those two drivers are looked on equal points in the championship and fight for second place. A week on from their win in Brazil, Mercedes looked to be in the mix for some success in Abu.