Qatar Grand Prix weekend is kicked off today with the first F1 free practice session on this track. Max Verstappen recorded the fastest lap time of 1:23:723, four-tenths up on Alpha Tauri of Pierre Gasly followed by Mercedes of Valtteri Bottas. Lewis Hamilton came in three-tenths slower than his teammate.

Hamilton’s W-12 car looked low on power and speculations are doing rounds, to find a reason for this. One of the reasons given by the F1 juggernaut is the change of engine in Hamilton’s car for the practice session.

Is Mercedes using their Friday engine for Lewis Hamilton?

During the FP1, defending champion Lewis Hamilton complained about his engine. He took a grid penalty in Brazil for changing the engine but today he seemed a bit lost on power. He could be clearly heard complaining on the Radio about this. “I feel like I’m massively down on power,” said the Briton.

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German website Automotor sports reported that the Briton was driving with a Friday engine, which in most likelihood implies to an older engine.

Hamilton complains: “It feels like I have a lot less performance.” The Friday engine is in the Mercedes. Not the rocket that Red Bull sports director Helmut Marko spoke of after the Brazilian GP,” reported the website.

Allegations of sandbagging are pointed towards the Mercedes for changing the engine during the practice session. There isn’t a clear response on this from the Brackley Team’s pit wall.

How good are other drivers doing on the new track?

This venue has been hosting MotoGP races for years but this is the first time F1 cars will race on this 3.3 mile track. No driver in the grid except Sergio Perez has ever driven on this track. It was a bumpy ride for many because they were still in the process of getting acquainted with the track. Notably, Mazepin had many off-track moments with considerable damage to the Haas VF-21.

The Stewards were not much in a role giving a free go for the practice.  Drivers went off the track on many occasions but it’s all in the process of knowing the track well. Daniel Ricciardo was heard saying “this is fun” while out on the track.  The track is expected to be faster than most others. Drivers are gearing up for FP2 and it’s gonna be an exciting weekend ahead.

Send in your opinions and predictions on the upcoming race.

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