Sergio Perez overtook Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen in final practice at the Yas Marina Circuit; Lewis Hamilton was cleared after an investigation for failing to brake under a red flag; watch Abu Dhabi GP qualifying later on Saturday live at 2pm, with the build-up starting at 1.15pm
Last update: 19/11/22 13:46
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Lewis Hamilton was investigated after the FP3 session for allegedly failing to brake under the red flag, but later avoided any penalty.
Lewis Hamilton was investigated after the FP3 session for allegedly failing to brake under the red flag, but later avoided any penalty.
Sergio Perez got the better of Red Bull team-mate Max Verstappen in final practice at the peak of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as Lewis Hamilton avoided a penalty without braking under a red flag.
It was no surprise that constructors’ champions Red Bull stayed a step ahead of their rivals at the Yas Marina Circuit, but Perez being 0.152s behind world champion Verstappen with a 1:24.982 was certainly unexpected.
Mercedes hoped overnight set-up changes would help them close the gap on Red Bull after Verstappen crashed out of second practice on Friday, but Hamilton was more than two-tenths behind Perez, with team-mate George Russell more back in fourth.
Hamilton was eventually cleared of misconduct after a nervous wait, having been investigated for failing to reduce speed after a failure in Pierre Gasly’s AlphaTauri triggered a red flag.
Hamilton overtook McLaren’s Lando Norris and Kevin Magnussen’s Haas when the red flag came into effect, but was later adjudged to have taken “all reasonable steps” to slow down.
Avoiding a potential belt penalty boosts the seven-time world champion’s faint hopes of sealing a first win of the campaign at the end of the season.
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Sergio Perez found his rhythm in FP3 and beat teammate Max Vertsappen by 0.152 seconds at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Sergio Perez found his rhythm in FP3 and beat teammate Max Vertsappen by 0.152 seconds at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Norris, meanwhile, led a strong McLaren performance to take fifth ahead of Ferrari duo Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, with team-mate Daniel Ricciardo behind them in eighth.
While the session gives Perez encouragement as he looks to beat Leclerc into second place in the drivers’ championship, the fact that it was done in hot sun and daylight means it is not representative of the night-time conditions of the classification and the race will be contested in .
However, the fact that Red Bull looked just as strong, if not stronger, under the lights on Friday is an ominous sign for their rivals.
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Lando Norris and Sebastian Vettel reported smoke from their tires in FP3 of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Lando Norris and Sebastian Vettel reported smoke from their tires in FP3 of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Ferrari, whose team principal Mattia Binotto faces ongoing speculation over his job security, appeared a step behind Red Bull and Mercedes, with Leclerc complaining about his engine during the session.
Why was Hamilton investigated?
The most dramatic moment of the session came when the “wheel front” protecting Gasly’s right front tire flew off the AlphaTauri.
A fault appeared which caused the part to come into contact with the tyre, resulting in a puncture and it flying off, resulting in a red flag.
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Pierre Gasly brought out the first red flag of the FP3 session after the front wheel suddenly flew off causing a puncture
Pierre Gasly brought out the first red flag of the FP3 session after the front wheel suddenly flew off causing a puncture
Hamilton, simulating a ‘push lap’, initially looked oblivious to the red flag and moved past Norris and Magnussen, who were both going slowly.
Replays aboard Hamilton’s car suggested it was unclear whether he had seen a red flag before he overtook both cars.
The 37-year-old was called to see stewards immediately after the session, but then had to wait more than an hour before it was confirmed he had been cleared.
Stewards cited a similar incident involving Verstappen at last year’s Dutch Grand Prix as precedent for their decision.
An FIA statement said: “The driver of car 44 took all reasonable steps to comply with the regulations as he immediately reduced speed in a safe manner at the first opportunity at the first indication of the red light.” .
Abu Dhabi GP practice three time sheet
Pilot Team Time 1) Sergio Pérez Red Bull 1:24.982 2) Max Verstappen Red Bull +0.152 3) Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +0.240 4) George Russell Mercedes +0.413 5) Lando Norris McLaren +0.536 6) Charles Leclerc Ferrari +0.589 7) Carlos Sainz Ferrari +0.623 8) Daniel Ricciardo McLaren +0.968 9) Sebastian Vettel Aston Martin +1.030 10) Alexander Albon Williams +1.069 11) Estaban Ocon Alpine +1.091 12) Fernando Alonso Alpine +1.094 13) AlphaTauri 1.18 1.1.