FP3: Piastri Tops Norris and Hamilton in Final Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Practice

Oscar Piastri set the pace in the third and final practice session ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, leading his McLaren teammate Lando Norris in a commanding one-two for the team. With McLaren aiming to clinch a crucial result in the constructors’ championship, the Australian topped the timesheets with a 1m 23.433s lap.

Sunny Skies and Early Action

Under sunny and warm conditions, FP3 began at 14:30 local time. Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin set a positive tone early, radioing: “I think it’s going to be a good day,” as he ventured onto the track. Joining him early were the Alpine drivers, including Jack Doohan, who is set to make his Formula 1 race debut on Sunday. Doohan struggled for rear grip initially but managed to outpace his teammate Pierre Gasly during their opening runs.

Mixed Strategies and Early Challenges

As the session unfolded, most teams opted for soft tyres, while a few experimented with mediums and hards. Kevin Magnussen briefly led the times with a 1m 24.470s lap in his final weekend with Haas. Meanwhile, George Russell expressed frustration over his Mercedes’ lack of pace, and Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari raised concerns after smoke was seen emanating from the rear, adding to the team’s woes following Charles Leclerc’s grid penalty.

Despite the scare, Sainz resumed running and initially went second-fastest before Alex Albon’s Williams displaced him at the top of the leaderboard.

McLaren Steals the Spotlight

As the session approached its conclusion, McLaren surged ahead. Piastri’s blistering lap put him 0.193s clear of Norris, with Lewis Hamilton slotting into third for Mercedes. Max Verstappen, who reported brake issues, was fourth, followed by Sainz in fifth and Russell in sixth.

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Haas maintained an impressive showing with Nico Hulkenberg and Magnussen in seventh and eighth, respectively. Leclerc and Red Bull’s Sergio Perez rounded out the top 10.

Midfield Battles and Final Placements

Yuki Tsunoda secured 11th for RB, ahead of Albon, Gasly, and Doohan. Alonso placed 15th, edging out Valtteri Bottas, who is competing in his final weekend with Kick Sauber. Liam Lawson took 17th for RB, followed by Lance Stroll, Zhou Guanyu, and Williams rookie Franco Colapinto, who finished 20th.

Looking Ahead to Qualifying

With the final practice session of the season wrapped up, teams will now analyze the data in preparation for qualifying at 18:00 local time. McLaren’s strong performance positions them as favorites to shine under the lights at Yas Marina Circuit.