Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo edged Mercedes rival Lewis Hamilton for the fastest time during the opening practice session for Formula 1’s German Grand Prix.
Ricciardo is to start from the back of the grid on Sunday after taking on new engine components but began the weekend on top, clocking a time of 1:13.525 as the championship returned to Hockenheim after a year’s absence.
Ricciardo’s time was just 0.004s clear of reigning World Champion Hamilton, while Max Verstappen finished within two-tenths of the Australian to make it a Red Bull 1-3, as all three used Ultrasofts.
Sebastian Vettel began preparations for his home event in fourth place, running Softs, with Valtteri Bottas fifth on the day that his 2019 seat with Mercedes was confirmed.
Kimi Raikkonen completed the customary top six, seven-tenths behind Ricciardo, as Haas comfortably led the midfield gaggle, Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen seventh and eighth respectively.
Charles Leclerc kept up his and Sauber’s impressive form by placing ninth, the only non-Ferrari driver in the top 10 to use Softs, as Renault’s Nico Hulkenberg capped the top 10.
Hulkenberg escaped a wild moment when his Renault R.S.18 snapped through Turn 11, pitching him through the gravel at high-speed, though he avoided contact with the wall.
Sergio Perez used Mediums to place 11th, while Fernando Alonso took 12th spot, having labelled Hulkenberg an “amateur” after feeling he was impeded by the Renault driver.
Lance Stroll finished in 13th for Williams as the squad ran an upgraded front wing, with Carlos Sainz Jr.’s session truncated by a coolant leak.
Brendon Hartley was 15th, in front of Sergey Sirotkin and Nicholas Latifi, who had his second FP1 outing of the year with Force India, in place of Esteban Ocon.
Pierre Gasly complained of a steering issue with his Toro Rosso STR13 en route to 18th spot while Antonio Giovinazzi had his maiden FP1 run of the campaign with Sauber, driving Marcus Ericsson's C37.
Giovinazzi placed 19th, ahead only of McLaren’s Stoffel Vandoorne, having encountered a dramatic moment when the left-hand-side of his engine cover detached as he exited Turn 1.
Friday’s second 90-minute practice session will begin at 15:00 local time
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