Norris Quickest Among Title Contenders in FP3, Hamilton Crashes

George Russell topped the final free practice session of the 2025 Formula 1 season in Abu Dhabi, while Lando Norris emerged as the quickest title contender in FP3. The two British drivers were separated by a mere 0.004 seconds. Max Verstappen finished third, with Oscar Piastri fifth, setting the stage for a tight qualifying session.

Why it matters:

The final practice session in Abu Dhabi offers the last glimpse of teams' true pace before the crucial qualifying. For title contenders like Norris and Verstappen, every millisecond counts, and Norris's strong showing, despite Russell topping the charts, indicates McLaren's competitive edge. Hamilton's ongoing struggles, culminating in a red flag, highlight Ferrari's challenges as the season concludes.

The Details:

• Russell's Pace: George Russell secured the top spot in FP3 with a time just 0.004 seconds faster than Lando Norris, showcasing Mercedes' potential.
• Norris's Strong Form: Lando Norris was the fastest among the title contenders, reinforcing McLaren's competitive performance leading into qualifying.
• Verstappen's Position: Max Verstappen finished third, about a tenth behind Norris and Russell, suggesting Red Bull is still in the mix but facing strong competition.
• Hamilton's Incident: Lewis Hamilton's challenging weekend continued as he lost control of his Ferrari at Turn 9, crashing into the barrier and causing a red flag. This incident marks another setback for the seven-time world champion.
• Stewards' Investigations: Yuki Tsunoda was involved in two incidents during FP3: a close call with Norris at Turn 12 and contact with Kimi Antonelli in the pit lane due to an unsafe release. Both incidents will be investigated by the stewards.
• Early Session: Many drivers, including Verstappen, were slow to start the session, with the two Alpines setting the initial lap times ten minutes in.
• McLaren's Surge: After a quiet start, Norris took the lead about 20 minutes into the session, which was later improved by Piastri before Norris eventually set the fastest time among the title contenders.

The Big Picture:

As the 2025 F1 season draws to a close, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is pivotal for the championship contenders. The tight margins in FP3 underscore the intense competition. McLaren, with both Norris and Piastri showing strong pace, appears well-prepared for qualifying. Mercedes, led by Russell, also looks formidable. Red Bull, while not dominating, remains a significant threat. Ferrari's ongoing performance issues, exemplified by Hamilton's crash, add another layer to the championship narrative, highlighting the challenges they face in concluding the season on a high note.

What's next:

The focus now shifts to qualifying, where grid positions for the final race of the season will be determined. The close times in FP3 suggest an unpredictable and thrilling qualifying session. All eyes will be on Norris and Verstappen as they battle for pole position, which could be critical for their championship aspirations. Hamilton's team will be working to repair his car and assess any potential grid penalties following his crash, adding further intrigue to the weekend.