The Abu Dhabi GP, the final race of the season, is finally upon us with the FP1 session underway. However, there is no title fight on the line like in 2021 between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. In fact, both drivers decided to sit out the session as 10 young drivers took to the track. While it is expected for the young drivers to make mistakes on their outings in F1, it was actually the two current drivers complaining and making a mess.
Oscar Piastri and Carlos Sainz haven’t had the smoothest of sailing this year. The two just seem to find each other on the track and then impede the other. During the Dutch GP qualifying, Sainz came out of the pits unaware of Piastri on the track behind him. As a result, the rookie has to swerve to avoid collision. The Australian even blamed Sainz for his Lap 1 incident at the Belgian GP where the Spaniard seemingly turned into him.
Deja Vu struck Oscar Piastri once again at the Abu Dhabi GP FP1 where Carlos Sainz seemingly obstructed his lap. The rookie was furious and came on the radio saying, “Classic Carlos. Just Sitting in the middle of the road. Nothing’s changed, I see.” His Engineer asked “ Do you think that was dangerous?”, To which Piastri replied, “I mean, yeah. He made no effort to get out of the way.”
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The layout of the Yas Marina Circuit is such that it is difficult to get out of the corners for a slower car sometimes. Piastri’s reaction seemed a bit much as Sainz was on the right and slowed down. Nonetheless, this wasn’t the scariest moment in the session as Piastri’s fellow countryman had to avoid something much worse.
Jack Doohan narrowly avoids Logan Sargeant at the Abu Dhabi GP FP1 session
The final corner at the Yas Marina Circuit is such that one has to take the racing line to start a lap. This creates a lot of dilemmas as with the faster cars coming up from behind, one has to accelerate as soon as they get on the racing line. Logan Sargeant was on the racing line as he approached the final corner but wasn’t accelerating. Jack Doohan, on a quick lap, came up from behind and tried to avoid the Williams driver on the racing line.
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Woah! 🫣
A mighty close call between Jack Doohan and Logan Sargeant in FP1 😰#F1 #AbuDhabiGP pic.twitter.com/4rJrz8alCc
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 24, 2023
Sargeant saw Doohan but was late to react and moved in the same direction as the Alpine. A crash was narrowly avoided as Sargeant backed out in time. The Alpine reserve driver was utterly frustrated after the incident. He was heard on the radio as he said, “I almost had the biggest accident of my life.” The incident has been noted by race control.
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What was expected to be a sedate testing-like session with young drivers behind the wheel turned out to be full of action. While Doohan ensured he stayed out of the barriers at the final corner, his frustration must have lessened a bit after taking pole position in F2 qualifying. But will the F1 folks have a spectacular showdown at Yas Marina like the F2 title decider is bound to be? All is set to unfold at the Abu Dhabi GP!