Leclerc was the fastest in the first practice session at the French GP 2022 – F1sport.cz

The first practice session took place at the Paul Ricard circuit in the expected high temperatures. The temperature of the track was almost 60 °C, the air was half that. In the first training session, the teams focused mainly on testing new parts – apart from Haas, every team brought at least some news (especially in the area of ​​the floor). McLaren deploys the most parts.

Charles Leclerc set the fastest time ahead of Verstappen and Sainz. The Spaniard fitted new electronics before training and will drop 10 places on Sunday. However, we can expect it to deploy other components as well, which would push it to the bottom of the field.

Bottas was replaced by Kubica in the first practice session, and Hamilton by Nyck de Vries.

The results

Progress

14:50: Leclerc 0.091s ahead of Verstappen.

14:42:

1. Ver
2. Lec
3. Sai
4. Gas
5. Rus
6. Per
7. Nor
8. Alb
9. Dev
10. Ric

14:40: Although Verstappen is the fastest, he has already gone over the curbs quite hard a few times.

14:39: Verstappen back in the lead – 1:34.021. Leclerc and Sainz close behind him.

14:32: Sainz takes the lead – 1:34.268.

14:26:

1. Ver
2. Per
3. Lec
4. Rus
5. Sai
6. Gas
7. Dev
8. Ric
9. Alo
10. Lat
11. Nor
12. Alb
13. Oco
14. Mag
15. Con
16. Chow
17. Str
18. Vet
19. Gold
20. Msc

14:20: Pérez made the clock.

14:19: Sainz has fitted the new PJ electronics (for now) and will drop 10 places at the start.

14:18: Lots of new parts, lots of flow-vis

14:13: Leclerc’s helmet…

14:10: Power unit problems were reported for Gasly. But he is now back on track.

14:07: Lando Norris reports a strange feeling with the pedal.

14:01: Air temperature 29 °C, the track is 54 °C.

14:00: We begin..

13:59: Riders will then have to pay attention to the track limits and also to the return from the escape zone. At Paul Ricard, it is unique not only in its color… The blue zones are a combination of asphalt and tungsten. The abrasive surface is intended to provide maximum grip and thereby minimize the required braking distance. The red zone is similar, but with an even greater effect.

13:56: The teams have a lot of work to do as they have brought packs of news. In terms of numbers, the most McLaren – among other things, the rear wing side panels, side panels, engine cover, cooling, floor treatments… and the others have floor treatments. No wonder he’s generating a lot of pressure this year. The only Haas traditionally did not bring anything.

13:53: Two changes await us in the first training session. Each team must field a young rider in two practice sessions this year. Nyck de Vries will replace Lewis Hamilton today. At Alfa Romeo, Robert Kubica will drive instead of Bottas – but it is not about a young driver, but rather about sponsorship agreements.

13:50: Welcome to the online broadcast of the first practice session at the 2022 French GP.

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