Image source, Reuters

11. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)

12. Liam Lawson (RB)

13. Valtteri Bottas (Sauber)

14. Ryo Hirakawa (McLaren)

15. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull)

16. Zhou Guanyu (Sauber)

17. Ayumu Iwasa (RB)

18. Arthur Leclerc (Ferrari)

19. Jack Doohan (Alpine)

20. Luke Browning (Williams)

This is a huge blow for Ferrari's title ambitions this weekend.

We saw Charles Leclerc stuck in the garage for the first part of this opening practice session and now the team have confirmed the Monegasque driver has received a 10-place grid penalty for Sunday's race after they had to change the battery pack on his car.

1. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) - 1:24.321

2. Lando Norris (McLaren) +0.221

3. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) +0.485

4. George Russell (Mercedes) +0.844

5. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) +1.012

6. Nico Hulkenberg (Haas) +1.052

7. Franco Colapinto (Williams) +1.061

8. Kevin Magnussen (Haas) +1.123

9. Felipe Drugovich (Aston Martin) +1.150

10. Sergio Perez (Red Bull) +1.162

Fernando Alonso has a few stern words for his Aston Martin crew after finishing his first practice run in 11th place. "Worst car ever and worst traffic preparation ever," says the Spaniard to his pit wall.

Into the final moments of this session and the likes of newbie Ayumu Iwasa in the RB are gathering up the last drops of data before heading off to do other things. The Japanese driver is in for Yuki Tsunodda and will end his hour in 17th place.

Felipe Drugovich is behind the wheel of Lance Stroll's Aston Martin for first practice and as the session nears a conclusion, the Brazilian lifts his car into the top 10 becoming the top rookie in Abu Dhabi with three minutes to go.

No further investigation in the case of Pierre Gasly versus failing to slow under those yellow flags.

He had to wait a while to get out but finally Charles Leclerc gets to stretch his legs in the Ferrari on the soft tyre. The Monegasque driver goes above the likes of Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris to slot into the top spot with a 1:24.321.

His best mate Pierre Gasly, meanwhile, has been noted for failing to slow under yellow flags.

Jolyon Palmer
Former Renault driver on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

I don't think Perez will be at Red Bull next year. His performances have been miserable this season - the last time he scored meaningful points was Miami. His team-mate won the championship with two rounds left - Perez has to go.

This first practice session is almost like an audition for Isack Hadjar, if the reports are to be believed. While Sergio Perez has a contract for the 2025 season, the rumour mill is churning with stories the Mexican will be replaced for next year, meaning Hadjar could make the step up to RB if Yuki Tsunoda or Liam Lawson get the nod to take Perez's seat at Red Bull.

Will Isack Hadjar be sending Luke Browning a Christmas card this year? Probably not.

The Red Bull man lets off some steam on the radio, dropping a few naughty words and adding he had to "back off at the last corner" because of the Williams driver.

Browning has been given black and white flag for his part in the incident.

1. Lando Norris (McLaren) - 1:24.542

2. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) +0.264

3. George Russell (Mercedes) +0.623

4. Nico Hulkenberg (Haas) +0.831

5. Franco Colapinto (Williams) +0.840

An improvement despite his struggles with the brakes, however, as George Russell now goes third fastest on the soft compound with a 1:25.165.

George Russell has slipped to fifth on the timesheets now, overtaken by Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton and the Williams of Franco Colapinto, The Briton's discomfort with the car is stemming from the brakes, saying whatever it is, he is not liking them.

Image source, Getty Images

It's time to swap mediums for softs now it's Lando Norris who goes straight to the top of the timesheets with a 1:24.542 ahead of the Haas of Nico Hulkenberg and the Mercedes of George Russell.

Both Leclercs are out on track now. Excellent.

Over in the Red Bull camp, Isack Hadjar is not happy with his rookie mate Luke Browning. "The Williams destroyed me in the chicane," says the F2 driver.

Jolyon Palmer
Former Renault driver on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Lewis Hamilton has had so many doubts and you never want to admit that as an F1 driver. The story is great of Hamilton going to Ferrari but he needs a full reset to be properly reinvigorated for next season because he is walking into the lion's den. Charles Leclerc is so embedded in that team.

Success for Charles Leclerc. His car seems to be in shape now and he's getting ready to jump in the car and join his brother on the Yas Marina circuit.

For Arthur, vital feedback is given to his Scuderia pit wall about how the tyres are performing during the second part of the lap. He gets a well done from his engineer for his observations.

Image source, Getty Images

Valtteri Bottas has been wearing his 'What's next?' t-shirt around the paddock again (he's also got it written on his race helmet this weekend) but where the Finn's future lies outside of Formula 1 is still unknown.

Abu Dhabi marks his final race in the sport after Sauber decided to sign Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto for the 2025 season to partner Nico Hulkenberg instead. Bottas made his debut with Williams in 2013 and secured 10 race wins during his days with Mercedes from 2017 to 2021.

Image source, Getty Images

For Kevin Magnussen, his journey in F1 started in 2014 where he scored a podium on his debut in Australia. It's been an eventful 2024 for the Dane, serving a one-race ban and having to sit on the sidelines in Brazil due to illness, and next season he'll be joining BMW Motorsport as a works driver.

For those of you who are unable to see the timing screen, Charles Leclerc has his usual 'LEC' next to his name, while brother Arthur is 'LEL'.

Not that we've seen Charles yet, mind, as the older Leclerc is still twiddling his thumbs in the Ferrari garage.

Lewis Hamilton, meanwhile, has clocked some purple sectors and crosses the line to go quickest with a 1:25.566 on the mediums. The seven-time world champion is 0.005 seconds faster than his team-mate George Russell, who now sits second.

Nulla Pax: If their animosity continues till the next Las Vegas race, they can rent the boxing ring at Caesars Palace and sort it out.

Muhammad Larosh: "LANDO LOVING THE DRAMA! Norris enjoying the Russell-Verstappen rivalry.