Four young drivers take the stage in free practice
FOUR young drivers took to the Sepang International Circuit for the first free practice session – showcasing the emergence of the young brigade in Formula 1.
Toro Rosso test driver Sean Gelael started instead of regular Carlos Sainz and he partnered F1 debutant Pierre Gasly.
Renault had Sergey Sirotkin in action as did Sauber, who fielded 19-year-old test driver Charles Leclerc.
Leclerc replaced Marcus Ericsson for the session as the GP2 driver continued his push for a seat in 2018.
But all eyes were on Gasly, who has been chosen to drive this weekend. The other three just stood in for the regulars in the first practice.
Frenchman Gasly will also replace Daniil Kvyat for next weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix.
Gasly completed 14 laps in the first practice and then teamed up with Sainz in the second practice.
Gasly completed 22 laps to be 15th fastest in 1:34.043.
Indonesian Gelael managed 13 laps in the morning, with his best time being 1:54.610. Sainz then took over from him and was 16th fastest in the second session in 1:34.104.
Gasly views the two sessions as a good start to his F1 career.
He said that he was under no pressure to get a good position on the grid, but to just complete the race.
“My target is to learn as quickly as possible and be close to Carlos (Sainz), who is really at the top of his game. So he is a very good benchmark.
“Having a clean weekend is priority for me: not doing anything stupid, not making any mistakes – that will probably not be so easy when you consider that the conditions are always tricky here and the race is very demanding,” he said.
The 19-year-old Leclerc only took part in the first practice session yesterday. He will continue to do the same in the next three races.
That will hopefully give him the chance to further showcase his talent that has impressed fourtime world champion Sebastian Vettel.
“It’s a huge honour that he (Vettel) speaks of me like that,” said Leclerc, who was 16th in rainy conditions during free practice one.
“I need to be the prepared for next year if I get the opportunity to be in Formula One. I don’t really feel any pressure. I just need to give my best in each race that I get to drive in,” he said.