The Latest Breaking News from Abu Dhabi

Sainz crashed early in the session as he passed the pit exit, bringing out the first of two red flags that greatly reduced the track time available for all drivers, with Nico Hulkenberg causing the second.

Charles Leclerc led the way for Ferrari in first practice, with Lando Norris ending up second-fastest for McLaren.

While the drivers' and teams' championships are long decided, there is a finely poised battle between Ferrari and Mercedes for best-of-the-rest spot that could form an important sub-plot this weekend. 

The Grove-based outfit is heading into the F1 season finale in Abu Dhabi seven points ahead of AlphaTauri in the fight for seventh place in the constructors’ contest. 

Although Max Verstappen and Red Bull have already clinched both Formula 1 world championships for 2023 with the team winning 20 of 21 races, much is still up for grabs in the Abu Dhabi GP season finale.

O’Ward will contest FP1 at this weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix season finale in place of Lando Norris, with McLaren complying with FIA regulations by running a rookie driver in both of its cars.

Speaking to the Daily Mail ahead of the 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix season finale, Red Bull team principal Horner claimed the Hamilton camp had sought out a potential seat at the reigning constructors' champion.

It's checkered flag time as the 2023 F1 season heads to the Middle East, and you can use our guide to watch Abu Dhabi Grand Prix live streams for FREE and from wherever you are.

AlphaTauri has taken large steps forward in the final third of the 2023 season, with gradual floor upgrades being compounded by taking Red Bull's RB19 rear suspension from Singapore onwards rather than its own design, improving the AT04's stability. Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda scored 16 of AlphaTauri's 21 points…