George Russell Leads FP3 in Abu Dhabi; Lewis Hamilton Crashes Out
George Russell showcased impressive speed during the third and final practice session of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. He clocked a time of 1 minute 23.334 seconds, narrowly edging championship contender Lando Norris by just 0.004 seconds.
Final Practice Highlights
Max Verstappen, the reigning champion, secured third place in this session with his Red Bull. Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso followed in fourth, while Oscar Piastri of McLaren rounded out the top five drivers.
Incident Reports
The session was marked by two significant incidents. Lewis Hamilton experienced a crash, spinning off and into the barriers, which resulted in red flags being waved midway through the hour. This early exit cut short the Mercedes driver’s practice.
Additionally, a collision occurred in the pit lane involving Kimi Antonelli and Yuki Tsunoda. Antonelli was released into Tsunoda’s path, leading to a clash that will be reviewed for an unsafe release.
Top Five Drivers in FP3
- 1. George Russell (Mercedes) – 1:23.334
- 2. Lando Norris (McLaren) – 0.004 seconds behind
- 3. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- 4. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
- 5. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
This session marked the conclusion of the practice segments for the 2023 Formula 1 season in Abu Dhabi, setting the stage for the main event ahead.
