Russell Tops Abu Dhabi Final Practice; Hamilton Crashes, Antonelli Collides with Tsunoda
George Russell led the final practice session at Abu Dhabi, setting the stage for a tense qualifying. Championship hopefuls Lando Norris and Max Verstappen were hot on his heels. However, the session was marred by Lewis Hamilton's dramatic crash in his Ferrari and a chaotic pit lane collision between Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli and Yuki Tsunoda, adding intrigue and potential penalties before the crucial qualifying session.
George Russell set the fastest time in the final practice session for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, a strong showing before qualifying. Title contenders Lando Norris and Max Verstappen were close behind, while Lewis Hamilton dramatically crashed his Ferrari and Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli collided with Yuki Tsunoda in the pit lane.
Why it matters:
This final practice session provided a crucial glimpse into the pecking order and potential dynamics for the championship-deciding qualifying. Russell's pace suggests Mercedes could be a dark horse for pole, potentially impacting the title fight between Norris and Verstappen. Hamilton's crash adds to a challenging season, while the pit lane incident highlights the pressure on both rookies and established drivers.
The Details:
- Russell's Dominance: George Russell topped the session with a 1:23.334, edging out championship rivals Lando Norris by just 0.004 seconds and Max Verstappen by 0.124 seconds.
- Championship Contenders: Norris (McLaren) and Verstappen (Red Bull) showed strong pace, indicating a tight battle for pole position. Oscar Piastri (McLaren), the third title contender, finished fifth, not far off the leading pace.
- Hamilton's Crash: Lewis Hamilton lost the rear of his Ferrari at Turn 9, spinning into the Tecpro barriers. The incident caused significant damage to his car's nose and suspension, forcing a red flag. Hamilton reported an issue with the front axle before the rear came around.
- Pit Lane Chaos: Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli collided with Yuki Tsunoda's Red Bull in the pit lane as multiple cars exited simultaneously. Antonelli's front wing was destroyed, and Tsunoda's underbody suffered damage, preventing him from completing a qualifying simulation. Both drivers are under investigation by the stewards.
- Ferrari's Struggles: Beyond Hamilton's crash, Ferrari had a difficult Saturday. Charles Leclerc managed to get into the top 10, but neither he nor Piastri appear to be strong challengers for the front row based on practice pace.
- Midfield Surprises: Fernando Alonso in the Aston Martin secured a surprising fourth place, while Sauber's strong Friday performance saw them drop to the midfield, with Gabriel Bortoleto in 11th and Nico Hülkenberg in 13th.
What's next:
The focus now shifts to qualifying, where the pole position will be fiercely contested. The incidents involving Hamilton and the Antonelli-Tsunoda collision will be under review, potentially leading to grid penalties. All eyes will be on Norris and Verstappen as they battle for the best starting position in the championship decider.