During the final practice session for the Abu Dhabi GP, George Russell set the fastest time in his Mercedes F1 car. The Briton preceded both McLaren drivers, while Max Verstappen only managed the sixth fastest time.
FP3 GREEN LIGHT
Away we go with the final practice session of 2023 #F1 #AbuDhabiGP pic.twitter.com/SWf660Fz6U
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 25, 2023
At 11:30 am Belgian time, the light at the exit of the pit lane turned green and the very last practice session of the 2023 F1 season began. The teams and drivers were given a last chance to prepare as best as possible for qualifying and the race on Sunday.
Halfway through the final practice session of 2023
Weve focused running on the Mediums while the rest of the field are currently on Softs #AbuDhabiGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/nPvLBvx6YV
— Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) November 25, 2023
The teams were mainly looking forward to the battle between Mercedes and Ferrari for second place in the constructors’ championship. Yesterday Charles Leclerc set the fastest time in the Ferrari, but Mercedes also seemed to perform strongly.
15 minutes left on the clock in FP3. George heads out on a set of Softs and finds another 0.4s – he’s P1 pic.twitter.com/U7xM8Z0vEp
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) November 25, 2023
With about fifteen minutes left on the clock, George Russell already set the fastest time in the Mercedes, and Russell had also set the fastest time during the first practice session yesterday.
“The car is again bottoming, jumping. I dont know whats going on”
Max is struggling with the RB19. He aborts a flying lap and remains P13 with the clock ticking down in FP3#F1 #AbuDhabiGP pic.twitter.com/lu2W3OlxkO
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 25, 2023
Max Verstappen has not enjoyed the race weekend in Abu Dhabi so far. After having to watch from the sidelines during the first practice session yesterday, he set a third fastest time during the second practice session. Verstappen made it clear yesterday that the car’s set-up needed to be improved today, but today the three-time world champion also seems to be experiencing a lot of problems with the Red Bull RB19.
George Russell goes fastest for the second time so far this weekend in #AbuDhabiGP FP3
Could this afternoon bring a first pole position of 2023 for GR63? #Fit4F1 pic.twitter.com/LsZ58pf9AQ
— Pirelli Motorsport (@pirellisport) November 25, 2023
Ultimately, George Russell in the Mercedes was fastest, ahead of both McLaren drivers. Charles Leclerc, who was the fastest yesterday, only set the fifth fastest time while Max Verstappen had to settle for P6. Everything still seems possible for the qualification, which will also be held under very different circumstances than this last practice session, after all, the sun is setting.