Russell Tops Final Practice as Hamilton Crashes in Abu Dhabi Thriller
George Russell led final practice for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, but all eyes were on the tight championship battle as Lando Norris, Max Verstappen, and Oscar Piastri showed strong pace. The session also saw a dramatic high-speed crash from Lewis Hamilton, putting Ferrari under immense pressure to repair his car before qualifying. With pole position historically crucial at this track, the fight for the grid will be intense as the F1 season reaches its climax.
George Russell led the final practice session for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, with the three title contenders tightly bunched heading into Saturday's crucial qualifying. Lando Norris, a mere 0.004s behind Russell, emerged as the quickest of the championship hopefuls, followed by Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri. The session was also marked by a dramatic high-speed crash involving Lewis Hamilton, leaving Ferrari in a race against time to repair his car before qualifying.
Why it matters:
With the last 10 races in Abu Dhabi won from pole position, qualifying will be paramount in deciding the 2025 F1 World Champion. The close margins in final practice underscore the intense battle at the top, making every millisecond count. Norris's consistent pace throughout the weekend, topping both Friday sessions, positions him as a strong contender, needing only a podium finish to secure his maiden title.
The Details:
- Russell's Pace: George Russell of Mercedes set the fastest lap, clocking in just ahead of the championship protagonists.
- Norris's Edge: Lando Norris (McLaren) was incredibly close, only 0.004s slower than Russell, and the quickest among the title challengers. His consistent performance, including topping both Friday practice sessions, highlights his strong form.
- Verstappen and Piastri: Max Verstappen (Red Bull) was 0.124s off Russell's pace, placing him third, while Oscar Piastri (McLaren) finished fifth. The close gaps indicate a fierce fight for pole position.
- Hamilton's Crash: Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) suffered a high-speed crash, adding significant pressure on Ferrari to get his car ready for qualifying. This incident could severely impact his qualifying performance and potentially his race.
- Tsunoda Incidents: Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull) was involved in two incidents: nearly colliding with Norris on track while driving slowly and then being in the path of Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) during a pit lane release. These moments highlight the intensity and minor errors that can occur under pressure.
- Pole Position Significance: Historically, securing pole position in Abu Dhabi has been a strong predictor of race victory, amplifying the importance of Saturday's qualifying session.
What's next:
Qualifying for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is set to be a thrilling affair, with every team vying for crucial grid positions. Ferrari faces a daunting challenge to repair Hamilton's car in time, while Norris will be looking to convert his strong practice form into a dominant qualifying performance. The championship permutations are finely balanced, promising an exhilarating conclusion to the 2025 Formula 1 season. All eyes will be on how the title contenders handle the pressure and who can deliver when it matters most.