Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Free Practice 3: Results
George Russell led Free Practice 3 for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, narrowly beating Lando Norris by just 0.004 seconds, hinting at a tight qualifying session. Max Verstappen was P3, while rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli impressed with a P9 finish. Notably, Lewis Hamilton finished P18, raising questions about Ferrari's pace for qualifying.
George Russell topped the final Free Practice session for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, setting the fastest time in a tightly contested FP3. His Mercedes teammate, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, also impressed, securing a spot in the top 10, while Lewis Hamilton finished a surprising 18th in his Ferrari.
Why it matters:
This session offers the last glimpse into car performance before qualifying, and Russell's strong showing suggests Mercedes could be a contender for pole position. The close margins at the top indicate a thrilling qualifying session ahead, with multiple teams showing pace. Hamilton's struggle, however, could be a concern for Ferrari, raising questions about their setup or strategy heading into the crucial qualifying hour.
The details:
- George Russell (Mercedes) clocked the fastest lap with a 1:23.334s, just 0.004s ahead of Lando Norris.
- Lando Norris (McLaren) demonstrated strong pace, finishing P2, indicating McLaren's continued form.
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull) was P3, 0.124s off Russell's pace, suggesting Red Bull might have more in hand for qualifying.
- Rookie Performance: Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) had a standout performance, finishing P9, just 0.373s behind his teammate. Oliver Bearman (Haas) also showed promise, securing P7.
- Surprise Low Finishes: Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) finished P18, over a second behind Russell, and Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull) was P20.
- Team Performance Overview:
- Mercedes: Strong with Russell at the top and Antonelli in the top 10, despite Hamilton's struggles.
- McLaren: Both Norris (P2) and Piastri (P5) showed excellent pace, highlighting their competitive package.
- Red Bull: Verstappen in P3, but Tsunoda's P20 is an anomaly.
- Ferrari: Leclerc (P8) was decent, but Hamilton's P18 is a significant concern.
- Haas: A surprisingly strong session with Ocon P6 and Bearman P7.
What's next:
The focus now shifts to qualifying, where every tenth of a second will count. Russell's pace could translate into a pole position challenge, while McLaren and Red Bull will undoubtedly push hard. All eyes will be on Ferrari to see if they can unlock more performance from Hamilton's car and on the rookies to see if they can maintain their impressive form under pressure. The final grid for Sunday's race will be set in just a few hours, promising an intense battle.