Defending Formula One world champion Max Verstappen of Oracle Red Bull Racing overcame a stomach bug to lead the way in practice on Friday in Saudi Arabia.
The Dutch driver, who won the opening race of the season in Bahrain, set the fastest time of 01:29.603s, ending the day just ahead of Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team’s Fernando Alonso, who showed that the Silverstone-based outfit has great pace. Alonso set a time of 01:29.811s.
Sergio ‘Checo’ Perez ended the day in third place with a time of 01:29.902s ending the day just ahead of Esteban Ocon and George Russell. Pierre Gasly was sixth for Alpine with a time of 01:30.100s.
Lance Stroll in the second Aston Martin was seventh, just ahead of Nico Hulkenberg, who had an excellent session for the Haas F1 Team as the German ended the day in eighth place with a time of 01:30.110s ending the day just ahead of the Ferrari pairing of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz who rounded out the top ten.
Lewis Hamilton was 11th for Mercedes, just ahead of Lando Norris and Yuki Tsunoda. Alex Albon had an impressive afternoon for the Williams Racing team as he ended the day in P14 at 01:30.810s.
Kevin Magnussen was P15 for the Haas F1 Team, just ahead of Zhou Guanyu and Ncyk De Vries. Logan Sergeant was P18 just ahead of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri while Valtteri Bottas rounded out the order in 20th place for the Alfa Romeo F1 Team.