Russell tops 2025 Abu Dhabi FP3 after a tight session marked by traffic scares, late drama, and a crash for Lewis Hamilton. The result places the focus keyphrase firmly in the spotlight ahead of qualifying.
Early Runs Set a Cautious Pace
Activity built slowly as only Aston Martin and Alpine drivers opened the session. Pierre Gasly set the first time, though the track gained speed quickly as temperatures shifted.
Norris Finds Early Momentum
Lando Norris delivered the first meaningful marker on C5 tyres. His lap reshuffled the order and pushed McLaren into the early lead.
Field Compresses as Grip Improves
Oscar Piastri and Yuki Tsunoda briefly challenged the top spots. Rapid track evolution then brought Ollie Bearman forward with an impressively close lap.
Hamilton Rises Before Trouble Strikes
Lewis Hamilton jumped to P1 with a clean lap. Moments later, he clipped the Turn 9 kerbs and lost control, crashing nose-first into the barriers.
Red Flag Interrupts the Flow
The session halted for thirteen minutes. Drivers returned with low fuel for qualifying simulations, creating a busy and tense track environment.
Russell Delivers Under Pressure
Max Verstappen briefly took control. Oscar Piastri then surged ahead before Norris reclaimed P1. Russell produced a precise lap to edge Norris by 0.004s.
Power, Pace, and Performance Trends
The Mercedes package showed strong single-lap speed. McLaren kept pressure with balanced grip. Red Bull maintained consistency but lacked the final edge in rotation.
Late Pit-Lane Drama
Kimi Antonelli’s release into Tsunoda caused damage and ended Tsunoda’s running. Despite repairs, the Red Bull driver dropped to twentieth place.
Summary
Russell tops 2025 Abu Dhabi FP3 after edging Norris in a tight fight. Verstappen followed in third as Hamilton’s crash and pit-lane drama shaped a lively final practice.
2025 Abu Dhabi GP – FP3 Results
| Pos | Driver | Car | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | George Russell | Mercedes | |
| 2 | Lando Norris | McLaren | |
| 3 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | |
| 4 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | |
| 5 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | |
| 6 | Esteban Ocon | Haas | |
| 7 | Oliver Bearman | Haas | |
| 8 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | |
| 9 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | |
| 10 | Alexander Albon | Williams | |
| 11 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Sauber | |
| 12 | Carlos Sainz | Williams | |
| 13 | Nico Hülkenberg | Sauber | |
| 14 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | |
| 15 | Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls | |
| 16 | Isack Hadjar | Racing Bulls | |
| 17 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine | |
| 18 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | |
| 19 | Franco Colapinto | Alpine | |
| 20 | Yuki Tsunoda | Red Bull |
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Source: FIA