Charles Leclerc: Tops FP1 in Qatar

Leclerc topped the timesheets during Friday's sole practice session at the Qatar Grand Prix, comfortably leading the way from McLaren rivals Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri and team mate Carlos Sainz - as their fight for the constructors' title heats up, Formula1.com reports.

Analysis:

The majority of this opening practice in Qatar would see medium and hard tyre use in full. Teams were logging the laps to get some good data ahead of Sunday's grand prix. However, once teams bolted on soft tyres for qualifying runs, the lap times would fall. Leclerc would lead the way with his 1:21.953 time on the Lusail Circuit. He would beat Norris by a comfortable four-tenths in this session. Leclerc seems driven to challenge for the win this weekend in Qatar.