The opening Friday practice session for the 2019 Brazilian GP would see the ROKiT Williams team complete their session without incident but would have to cope with mixed conditions ranging from rain at the start of the session through to a drying track. Nicholas Latifi would complete his final practice session run finishing behind his team-mate. George Russell would put in an impressive time that would see him finish 11th of the sixteen drivers who set times. Despite the difficult conditions it could still be viewed as a productive session for the team as they continue to work on developments for their 2020 car.
ROKiT Williams
Brazilian GP Friday 1st Practice
Team Summary:
With the opening Friday practice session commencing under very wet track
conditions there was a question as to how much track time the drivers would
want to run. With fifteen minutes of the session complete it would be the
Ferrari's that would come out for runs on the full wet tyre. Next would be
the Alfa Romeo's out for a run. But the rain would stop and it started to
brighten. The track would empty but with under an hour and fifteen minutes
remaining Grosjean would be next out followed by several drivers including
both Williams. Drivers would complete single installation laps. The first
lap time would come from Sainz with a 1m:23.689 improving a 1m:22.149.
Both Williams drivers were out of their cars with only the Red Bulls and
Hamilton yet to come out. Leclerc was back out and would set a 1m:21.259
followed by Sainz and Norris. Hamilton was out running on the intermediate
tyre. Leclerc had pitted to change to intermediate tyres and would set a
1m:17.285 now followed by Sainz, Kvyat, Norris, and Gasly. Vettel was now
third but was still on the wet tyre. Hulkenberg was now second also on the
intermediate tyre. But Vettel would move into second followed by Hulkenberg
and Ricciardo with all the quick times on the intermediate tyre. Both
Williams drivers were out on the intermediate tyre. Vettel was now quickest
with a 1m:17.041 followed by Leclerc, Sainz, Hulkenberg, Ricciardo, Gasly,
Norris, Kvyat, Magnussen and Giovinazzi in tenth. But we would see a
Williams in 9th and the second 14th.
At the front Bottas would go quickest with a 1m:16.693 with just three cars
running with both Williams back in their pits. Albon was on his first timed
lap and would set a 1m:16.399 to go quickest. With fifteen minutes remaining
and only two cars were running one been a Williams both cars would pit
seeing the track empty. But a Williams would return for a short run and then
we would see cars come out with slicks on with a rush of drivers all coming
out with the majority on the soft tyre and Mercedes on the medium. But
Verstappen would spin in what were still tricky conditions at the Senna
esses. For team-mate Albon he would crash while running on the soft tyre
seeing him leave the track and onto the grass and not be able to stop and go
into the barrier. A red flag come out and the session would not be
restarted.
The session would finish with Albon fastest despite having crashed with
Bottas second followed by Vettel, Leclerc, Sainz, Hulkenberg, Ricciardo,
Gasly, Kvyat, and Norris tenth. The Williams drivers were finish in 11th and
16th after a very mixed session which really would not be of much value if
it remains dry over the rest of the weekend. Only time will tell and as for
Williams Nicholas would get through his session without incident while
George was able to put in a very good lap time.
George Russell:
George would also come out for his first run in eth session also on the wet
tyre. George would complete a single lap. George would return to his car for
his next run and the track started to dry. George would return still on the
wet tyre. George would set a 1m:26.317 followed by 1m:25.305. George would
pit changing to the intermediate tyre after running wide as he started the
run up the hill to the main straight. George would improve with a 1m:20.021
to move ahead of his team-mate. With more laps George would see a 1m:19.680.
George would improve with a 1m:19.220 to be ninth. He would pit after a six
lap run. He would return completing a further two laps on the intermediate
tyre. With ten minutes remaining and George would return still on the
intermediate tyres. He would pit after a three lap run and would not get any
further running with a red flag ending the session.
Nicholas Latifi:
Nicholas would be first ut for Williams running on the full wet tyre. He
would pit after a single lap. Nicholas was also getting ready fro a further
run. With forty minutes remaining Nicholas would return running on the
intermediate tyre. He would set a 1m:23.274 to lead his team-mate. Nicholas
would improve with a 1m:21.520 to close the gap to George. He would pit also
having completed six laps but would return for a single lap run. With twenty
three minutes remaining and Nicholas would return again on the
intermediates. He would improve with a 1m:20.335 but was still 1.1s behind
his team-mate. A 1m:20.010 would see Nicholas find three tenths. He would
pit after a four lap run. He would not return as the session came to an end
with a red flag..
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