The last free practice session of the season takes place in Abu Dhabi. So let's see what happened in FP3 in Abu Dhabi which includes an important innovation. After Sainz's accident, measures were taken. The bump reported by several pilots and which led Sainz to make the mistake and hit the barriers has in fact been levelled, in the hope that it will no longer cause problems. An inconvenience that forced the Ferrari mechanics to do extra work, but which fortunately ended in the best possible way. Never before will FP3 in Abu Dhabi be fundamental to prepare for qualifying and the race considering that yesterday between the rookies in FP1 and the red flags in FP2 the teams were not able to do much long run testing.
Ferrari, Sainz will not have to change other components
Carlos Sainz's accident in FP2 in Abu Dhabi triggered by the jump over a bump in turn 3 it kept everyone in suspense. This is in fact the second heavy accident, after the one a Las Vegas due to a manhole, for the Ferrari Spaniard in the last two weekends. Ferrari worked intensely during the night to recover the SF-23 Carlos Sainz, breaking the curfew. After a long intervention the team has confirmed that there is no damage to the chassis and engine. The biggest concern given that Sainz was forced to change the battery in Las Vegas, taking a penalty that ruined his weekend.
Red Bull continues to have problems, Ferrari works with the mediums
Yesterday the day ended with Charles Leclerc's first place in FP2, followed by Norris and Verstappen. Dutch Red Bull complained about the balance. The team will have to find their feet in this final free practice session. FP3 in Abu Dhabi begins with the best time of Sergio Perez on the red tyre, followed by Sainz on the yellow. Behind them Hamilton, Ocon and Leclerc. Many are waiting to come out including Max Verstappen. In the meantime, an important communication arrives from the FIA: it will not be possible to replicate what Max Verstappen did yesterday at the exit of the pit lane. The Dutchman had come alongside the cars that were proceeding slowly in front of him, overtaking them and triggering a dangerous situation. Nobody will be able to do it, unless a car slows down with an obvious problem.
On the first flying lap Verstappen didn't go beyond fifth place. In fact, he is positioned behind the Aston Martins of Alonso, Stroll, Perez and Russell, the fastest with the reds. The Dutchman complains that he slides with his hindquarters and that he bounces too much. Problems continue in the set-up at the home of the world champions who did not start the weekend in the best way. After almost half an hour everyone is on the track with the reds except the two Ferrari drivers, who are on the yellows. George Russell continues to lead the group followed by Verstappen at 5 tenths, Piastri, Perez and Stroll. The Englishman took part in all three free practice sessions.
Thanks to the speeds it reaches in the long runs, Williams places both cars in the top 5 with 15 minutes to go in FP3 in Abu Dhabi. Grove's team flies in the first two sectors but suffers in the last sector, which instead highlights Mercedes, and where it loses around 7 tenths. Excellent laps for the McLarens, which moved into second and third place with Norris and Piastri. Only Ferrari has not yet set a time with the reds, differentiating yourself from the group.
Leclerc finishes the first attempt with the soft tires behind Albon and the two McLarens following Russell. The Monegasque pays about 1 tenth. Sainz closed the first lap with difficulty, in P19. At Red Bull they still haven't found a solution. Verstappen recovers at the last attempt. Perez doesn't go beyond eleventh place.
The session ends with the following top 10:
- RUSSELL
- NORRIS
- PLATES
- ALBON
- LECLERC
- VERSTAPPEN
- OR WITH
- SARGEANT
- TSUNODA
- ZHOU
