Leclerc on top for Ferrari in F1 Qatar Grand Prix opening practice

Doha, Qatar: Charles Leclerc demonstrated Ferrari s potential for wrecking McLaren s bid for a first title in 26 years when he topped the times ahead...

Doha, Qatar: Charles Leclerc demonstrated Ferrari's potential for wrecking McLaren's bid for a first title in 26 years when he topped the times ahead of Lando Norris in Friday's opening practice at the F1 Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix 2024.

The determined Ferrari driver clocked a best lap in 1min 21.953sec late in the session to finish 0.4 seconds clear of nearest rival Norris and his team-mate Oscar Piastri who are bidding to seal McLaren's first constructors' championship success since 1998.

Carlos Sainz was fourth in the second Ferrari ahead of RB's Yuki Tsunoda, Sauber's Valtteri Bottas and Aston Martin's Lance Stroll as the team's familiarised with the circuit and conditions ahead of sprint qualifying later on Friday.

Mercedes' George Russell, winner of last weekend's Las Vegas Grand Prix, was eighth ahead of Williams' Alex Albon and seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton in the second Mercedes.