George Russell tops FP3 in Abu Dhabi as Lando Norris settles for P2 and Lewis Hamilton crashes out. Full drama breakdown with ” insights.
The final practice session before Qualifying at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix had everything a fan could ask for—speed, shocks, and a serious crash. If you blinked, you probably missed something dramatic. George Russell snatched the top spot in the dying moments of FP3, pushing Lando Norris down to second by just 0.004 seconds, while Max Verstappen hovered ominously in third. But the biggest gasp from the crowd came when Lewis Hamilton lost control at high speed and slammed into the barriers, bringing out a red flag and shaking up the entire session.
It felt like the calm before a storm at the start, but as the track came alive, the desert heat turned into a pressure cooker. Let’s break down everything that unfolded in this intense final hour before the all-important Qualifying.
1. Quiet Beginnings Under the Abu Dhabi Sun
The start of FP3 was calm, almost too calm. Most drivers stayed tucked away in their garages, waiting for the track to improve. Only Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll ventured out early, sticking to their familiar routine of scrubbing tyres and building rhythm. It was the sort of slow burn that makes you wonder—what’s everyone hiding?
2. Early Movers: Alpine Tries to Recover
After a disappointing Friday, Alpine wasted no time getting Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto out on track. With Renault ending its chapter as an engine supplier, the pressure was heavy. They needed answers, and they needed them fast. While their lap times didn’t shake the top, their intent was crystal clear—they were fighting back.
3. Norris Strikes First for McLaren
Lando Norris was the first driver to truly wake up the leaderboard. His initial lap of 1m 24.728s sent him straight to P1. It wasn’t his quickest effort of the weekend, but it was a marker. Like the opening move in a chess match, it told everyone: McLaren meant business.
4. Piastri’s Struggles and Oversteer Woes
Oscar Piastri, who had sat out FP1 for Pato O’Ward, didn’t look completely comfortable. He trailed Norris by four-tenths while battling oversteer in the final sector. You could almost hear the frustration through the timing screens—it just wasn’t flowing yet.
5. Norris vs Tsunoda: The Near-Miss
One of the tensest moments came when Norris nearly collided with Yuki Tsunoda. The Red Bull driver failed to move aside in time, forcing Norris into evasive action. Tsunoda immediately raised his hand in apology, but the stewards still noted the incident for impeding. It was a reminder that even practice sessions can bite.
6. Bearman’s Surprise Pace
If FP2 raised eyebrows, FP3 made jaws drop. Ollie Bearman proved his speed was no fluke. His first flying lap was just 0.008 seconds slower than Norris. For a Haas driver to run at the sharp end—it felt like watching an underdog land a knockout punch.
7. Verstappen and Stroll Light Up the Timesheets
Just before the halfway point, Max Verstappen surged to P1 as expected. But moments later, Lance Stroll stunned everyone with a rapid lap on soft tyres, demoting the world champion to second. For a brief moment, Aston Martin fans dared to dream big.
8. Hamilton’s High-Speed Crash Shocks FP3
Then came the moment that froze the session. At Turn 9, Lewis Hamilton lost control at high speed, spinning violently into the barriers. The impact was heavy, the session immediately stopped, and hearts skipped a beat. Thankfully, Hamilton emerged unhurt, later reporting, “Something buckled at the front and snapped the rear.”
Still, the damage was done. His Ferrari was stranded, and precious minutes ticked away for everyone else. It was like dropping a glass ball in a room full of crystal—everything suddenly felt fragile.
9. Red Flag Pressure and the Final Dash
With Hamilton’s car being recovered, drivers returned to the pits. When the track finally reopened, only the final quarter of FP3 remained. The pressure was immense. This was the last real dress rehearsal before Qualifying. Every lap now mattered.
10. McLaren’s Late Charge to the Front
Oscar Piastri was the first to strike after the restart, jumping from P18 straight to P1 on fresh soft tyres. He went half a second clear of Verstappen in a stunning move. But Norris wasn’t in the mood to settle. Moments later, he fired in a 1m 23.338s, reclaiming the top spot with a final sector that was three-tenths faster than his teammate.
It felt like McLaren was playing a perfect one-two punch.
11. Russell’s Last-Gasp Masterstroke
Just when it seemed Norris had sealed P1, George Russell delivered the perfect final blow. In the closing minutes, the Mercedes driver extracted every ounce of grip from his soft tyres and set a 1m 23.334s—just 0.004 seconds faster than Norris.
That tiny margin was enough. Like a sprinter leaning at the finish line, Russell stole P1 at the very last second.
12. Pitlane Drama: Antonelli and Tsunoda Clash
As if the track drama wasn’t enough, chaos struck in the pit lane too. Mercedes youngster Kimi Antonelli was released directly into Tsunoda’s path, resulting in a collision. Tsunoda’s Red Bull was clipped, and Antonelli damaged his front wing. It was messy, unnecessary, and costly.
13. Final FP3 Classification and Tight Gaps
Behind Russell, Norris and Verstappen completed the top three. Fernando Alonso impressed in fourth, just over a tenth away from P1. Piastri settled for fifth ahead of the Haas duo of Esteban Ocon and Ollie Bearman. Charles Leclerc, Kimi Antonelli, and Alex Albon rounded out the top ten.
What really stood out? Just 0.388 seconds covered the top half of the field. That’s tighter than rush-hour traffic.
14. What FP3 Means for Qualifying
This session proved one thing—Qualifying is wide open. Mercedes, McLaren, Red Bull, and Aston Martin all look capable of fighting for pole. Russell’s late surge gives Mercedes real confidence, while McLaren’s consistency suggests Norris is right in the hunt.
Hamilton’s crash, however, throws a big question mark over Ferrari’s final preparations. Will repairs be completed in time? And more importantly—will his confidence take a hit?
15. Why Abu Dhabi Is Set for a Thriller
FP3 was like the trailer to a blockbuster movie—full of speed, tension, and unexpected twists. If practice is any indicator, Qualifying will be explosive. Every driver is walking a tightrope between bravery and disaster. And as fans, we’re here for every heartbeat of it.
Conclusion
FP3 in Abu Dhabi delivered pure motorsport theatre. George Russell’s late heroics, Norris’ relentless pace, Verstappen’s steady threat, and Hamilton’s shocking crash combined into one unforgettable session. With margins razor-thin and emotions running high, the stage is perfectly set for a dramatic Qualifying showdown. One thing is certain—you don’t want to miss what happens next.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who topped FP3 at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix?
George Russell finished fastest in FP3, beating Lando Norris by just 0.004 seconds.
2. What happened to Lewis Hamilton in FP3?
Lewis Hamilton crashed heavily at Turn 9 after suffering a front-end failure, bringing out a red flag.
3. How close was the competition in FP3?
Extremely close—only 0.388 seconds covered the top half of the field.
4. Did McLaren perform well in FP3?
Yes, Lando Norris finished P2 and Oscar Piastri ended P5, showing strong pace.
5. Why is Qualifying expected to be intense after FP3?
With Mercedes, McLaren, Red Bull, and Aston Martin all showing similar speed, the fight for pole is wide open.
