Charles Leclerc set the fastest time on Friday at the Circuit Paul Ricard in the first practice for the French Grand Prix. Max Verstappen was narrowly slower than his biggest challenger in the World Cup position. The Dutchman admitted 0.091 to the Ferrari driver.
Nyck de Vries was allowed to drive a free practice session in Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes, and drove the ninth fastest time. Each team must give a driver with few Formula 1 kilometers the chance for two training sessions per season. De Vries therefore drove a training session for Williams before, and now he got the chance in the Mercedes. The Frisian driver is also a reserve driver for that team.
Leclerc clocked a time of 1,33.930. De Vries drove a 1.35,426, making him just under one and a half seconds slower than the Ferrari driver. The third fastest time was set by Leclerc’s teammate Carlos Sainz, who conceded just over three tenths on the fastest lap.
France GP timetable
- Second free practice: Friday 5 p.m.
- Third free practice: Saturday 1 p.m.
- Qualification: Saturday 4 p.m.
- Race: Sunday 3 p.m.