Nico Hülkenberg was positive about Renault’s pace in Friday practice for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, but warned caution due to contrasting track conditions.
Romain Grosjean secured 10th place in first practice for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, following it up with seventh in the evening session.
Marcus Ericsson will step down from Formula 1 driving duties after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, but is determined to leave Sauber with a points finish.
Pierre Gasly will end his spell at Toro Rosso in this weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, ahead of his promotion to the senior Red Bull team for the 2019 season.
Valtteri Bottas made a strong start to clear the Ferrari of Sebastian Vettel, but slipped to fifth at the flag as Mercedes clinched its fifth consecutive constructors’ championship.
The double world champion will start the Mexican Grand Prix in twelfth place, and get a free choice of tyres.
Kimi Räikkönen could only manage sixth on the grid for the Mexican Grand Prix, as the Finn looks to cement his third place in the drivers’ championship.
Max Verstappen suffered a rear suspension failure in the first part of qualifying, limiting him to eighteenth on the grid, after penalties are applied, for the US Grand Prix.
Romain Grosjean handed Haas its first-ever top 10 grid slot in its home grand prix, securing eighth for the race in Austin.
Mexican Pérez will stay at Force India for a sixth season in 2019, and is likely to be partnered by Lance Stroll.
Pérez believes the track layout at the Circuit of the Americas will suit Force India’s package, as the reborn team looks to continue to move up the constructors’ standings.
Lewis Hamilton’s win from pole position was his fiftieth for Mercedes in Formula 1, moving him to within grasp of a fifth world title after Sebastian Vettel could only manage sixth in a trying weekend for Ferrari.
Swede Ericsson secured two top 10 finishes in the Friday practice sessions for the Japanese Grand Prix, and was positive about the team’s chances ahead of qualifying.
Esteban Ocon comfortably had the measure of Racing Point Force India team-mate Sergio Pérez in Friday practice for the Japanese Grand Prix, finishing both sessions in seventh.
Mercedes driver Hamilton benefited from team orders to pass team-mate Bottas for the net lead of the race, while under pressure from Vettel, who finished third. The Championship lead is now 50 points, with five grands prix remaining.
Sergey Sirotkin was content with a “productive” Friday for the Williams team but admits that the team needs to find more performance.
Finn Bottas finished fourth and second in the two Friday practice sessions for this weekend’s Russian Grand Prix, believing that the team still has time to find in its car, and Ferrari did not show its true hand.
