Bottas storms to seventh straight FP1 top spot

Valtteri Bottas once again topped the first practice session of the weekend, as Formula 1 arrived at Portimao for the first time. Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen finished second and third in FP1.

The Bottas show

Valtteri Bottas once again proved his good practice session form as he topped FP1. His time of 1:18.410 was fast enough to top the first-ever F1 session at Portimao and make it seven consecutive FP1 victories in a row. The Finn will be hoping to back this up over the rest of the weekend.

Bottas' teammate, Lewis Hamilton was unable to pip him to top spot as he finished 0.339 down on his teammate with a time of 1:18.749. Hamilton can move a step closer this weekend to a seventh and record-equalling World Championship. Max Verstappen was third, 0.781 down on Bottas who was a class above in FP1.

Charles Leclerc gave Ferrari a bit of hope as he finished in P4 with the Red Bull of Alex Albon just behind him in fifth as he looks to show some form, with rumours about his future swirling. Carlos Sainz (P6), Sergio Perez (P7), Kimi Raikkonen (P8), Daniel Ricciardo (P9) and Pierre Gasly (P10) completed the top ten in FP1. 

Haas duo

Kevin Magnussen and Romain Grosjean announced yesterday they would be leaving Haas at the end of the season. They finished P14 and P17 respectively in FP1.