The hot Arabian afternoon radiates the asphalt of Yas Marina with 45 degrees of temperature. Last free practice session of the season, as well as of the career four times world champion Sebastian Vettel. Decisive session to find the right balance in view of qualifying and the race, especially considering that the constructors' classification is not yet decided. THE Red Bull by Perez and Verstappen stand out at the end of the session, but the Mercedes makes it clear that underestimating it would be a mistake.
Perez is first ahead of Verstappen in an excellent Red Bull
In Milton Keynes the post-Brazil analyzes seem to have been successful, out of the ordinary grand prix where the RB-18 showed itself for what it was not. The RB-18 is definitely at ease both in the flying lap and on the race pace. Testifying the optimism before qualifying is the Mexican Sergio Perez, that tower above the others with an advantage of one and a half tenths over teammate Verstappen. The world champion team of drivers and constructors will do everything to avoid a second consecutive victory for Mercedes, after giving the star a double in Interlagos.
Mercedes spoils parties of Perez and Verstappen?
Brakley's team seems to follow the leitmotif of this last part of the season, with a enviable race pace and a flying lap not far from Red Bull. The first of the two silver riders is Lewis Hamilton, that it is 240 thousandths from the summit, followed by new winner George Russell just over a tenth and a half. The W13 technicians have returned to a trim more loaded than the FP2, and the choice seems to have paid off.
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton will attempt success to keep alive the record of at least one win per season played, but he will first have to deal with the investigation of the commissioners into the crime committed ... the Englishman did not slow down following a yellow flag that turned red, thus risking a penalty that could demote him. At 13:00 the Englishman will present himself to the marshals.
Ferrari worries, Leclerc and Sainz sixth and seventh
The classic confusion of the second half of the season continues in the Ferrari box. The F1-75 was left unloaded, despite the similar setup held in FP2 didn't work. The pace of the redhead has improved but the distance from the first two forces is no small thing, especially on the flying lap. In a situation of political chaos in Maranello, the lack of peace is also projected onto the track with a team that, having started from first strength, is now seriously threatened by Mercedes for second place in the constructors' championship.
Hopes of a pole position are remote, with Leclerc nearly six-tenths off the summit, and Sainz 30 thousandths of a Monegasque. The little horse tried to protect the rear, and it seems that the only hope for limiting the damage is to have a car that is more comfortable with the lower temperatures in qualifying and the race.
An excellent McLaren sandwiches the red. Who closes the grill?
Norris he confirmed himself at ease on the Arab track, finding himself at the end of the session in front of the reds fifth position. The partner is also good Ricciardo, which in his last race before becoming the third Red Bull driver, he places himself in eighth position as second of the others after his partner. He's great Hag the one seen today: German is ninth ahead of the usual Albon che da, tenth, still a great test of his skills by taking a Williams where you don't imagine it. Not the usual Alpine in Abu Dhabi: 11th Or with in front of Alonso.
He's better than his partner tsunoda, that with gasly sandwiches a Valtteri Bottas in 14th position. the french ofAlpha Tauri was protagonist of a red flag, after a puncture caused by the failure of the gull flap above the right rear. Stroll he is 16th with the other Aston Martin, closely followed by the Haas's Magnussen e Schumacher. Last Latifs preceded by Zhou.
