Abu Dhabi – Free Practice 3: Hamilton sets the standard ahead of the Ferraris
Lewis Hamilton once again made his mark during the last free practice session of the season. He was ahead of the two Ferraris and a Max Verstappen who seems in good shape for the race, managing his tires very well. Valtteri Bottas is struggling, eight-tenths behind his teammate. A new disappointment for Daniel Ricciardo with another breakdown and an off-track excursion for Charles Leclerc.
Back on the Yas Marina Circuit for the last free practice session of the season.
If the stakes of the session are limited since the championship is already concluded, the different teams that have nothing left to lose will do everything they can to test settings that could bring them a victory, notably with Red Bull and Max Verstappen eager to take revenge for the Brazilian episode.
The session begins under intense heat, typical in the Abu Dhabi desert, and is opened by Marcus Ericsson on hypersoft tires.
Surprise, surprise… it’s sunny ☀️☀️☀️#AbuDhabiGP 🇦🇪 #F1 pic.twitter.com/Blakjh515k
— Formula 1 (@F1) 24 novembre 2018
The Williams drivers are the first to complete a timed lap, and Sergei Sirotkin already takes advantage by running too wide over the new kerb and fears damage to his floor.
😮 That Turn 20 kerb is getting a good going over – again #AbuDhabiGP 🇦🇪 #F1 pic.twitter.com/NgAnkwUC8F
— Formula 1 (@F1) 24 novembre 2018
First aborted attempt for Kimi Räikkönen after missing the trajectory at the chicane, who finishes his next flying lap in 1:39:314.
Vettel quickly outclasses his teammate by improving the provisional benchmark time by six-tenths to 1:38.668.
After twenty minutes of the session, the Monegasque Charles Leclerc experiences oversteer on the slippery track and sees his car hit the circuit limits in reverse. He destroys his rear wing in the maneuver, which dangerously hangs and significantly damages his Sauber as it heads back to the pits, scattering some carbon debris on the asphalt.
😮 @Charles_Leclerc has clonked the barriers and is trundling back to the pits with his rear wing dangling from the back of his car #AbuDhabiGP 🇦🇪 #F1 pic.twitter.com/wKtT1tgmJB
— Formula 1 (@F1) 24 novembre 2018
In turn, Lewis Hamilton, once again displaying his #44, takes his Mercedes over the large sausage-shaped kerb, which violently shakes his car. This small mistake does not prevent him from performing, as he secures the second-fastest time, four-tenths behind Sebastian Vettel. No major damage is reported on his floorboard, but the world champion returns to his pit for inspection. This stop reveals significant wear on his hypersoft tires, which do not seem to appreciate the heat of the track, wearing out prematurely.
Meanwhile back at the skate park…
Lewis gets some air 🛹#AbuDhabiGP 🇦🇪 #F1 pic.twitter.com/cMv6ecfs8Q
— Formula 1 (@F1) 24 novembre 2018
Max Verstappen, holder of the third provisional time, is managing his pink tires very well, unlike other drivers who are struggling to maintain the good condition of their tires. This aspect is promising for the Austrian team for tomorrow’s race.
As the last quarter-hour of the session approaches, the drivers pick up the pace. Sebastian Vettel improves his time to 1:37.587 before being overtaken by Lewis Hamilton with 1:37.176, which is the provisional best time of the weekend.
Kimi Räikkönen followed by placing his Ferrari in second place with a time of 1:37:464, thus beating his teammate by just a tenth.
On the Sauber side, the mechanics were able to repair Charles Leclerc’s damaged car, thus ensuring his participation in the qualifying session scheduled two hours after the end of free practice session 3.
With less than five minutes left in the session, Daniel Ricciardo’s Red Bull comes to a halt at the side of the track after a technical incident. The Australian can only observe, once again subject to bad luck this season with his car.
Ricciardo’s out of his car and waiting for a lift back to the pits #AbuDhabiGP 🇦🇪 #F1 pic.twitter.com/BVTYIW5a0k
— Formula 1 (@F1) 24 novembre 2018
Last lap and contact between the cars of Pierre Gasly and Romain Grosjean. The latter, on his trajectory, apparently did not see the fast arrival of the Norman. Minor damage, with a piece of wing ending up on the tarmac.
End of the session in Abu Dhabi and no one will reach Lewis Hamilton’s time, far ahead of his teammate who is visibly struggling at eight-tenths with the fifth fastest time.
FP3 CLASSIFICATION: Ahead of qualifying, Hamilton is in pole position #AbuDhabiGP 🇦🇪 #F1 pic.twitter.com/D1QT67d84y
— Formula 1 (@F1) 24 novembre 2018
