Red Bull Racing Dominate Final F1 Practice Session Ahead of Abu Dhabi Season-finale

Red Bull team-mates Max Verstappen and Alex Albon finished first and second respectively

 
United Arab Emirates -  December 13, 2020:   The third and final practice session ahead of tomorrow’s FORMULA 1 ETIHAD AIRWAYS ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX 2020 took place earlier today at Yas Marina Circuit, with Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen topping the timesheet after recording a time of 1:36.251.
 
It was the Dutchman’s second first-place practice finish of the weekend after he came out on top in yesterday’s FP1, ensuring he goes into today’s qualifying session full of confidence.
 
The session was a good showing for Red Bull, with Verstappen’s team-mate, Alex Albon, finishing second.
 
With the sun beating down in Abu Dhabi, the drivers initially took their time to head out onto the track, but the session soon got underway with Williams’ Nicholas Latifi first out.
 
Verstappen and Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas had finished top of yesterday’s two sessions, which saw the return to action of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton following his enforced absence at last week’s Sakhir Grand Prix, and every driver was looking to seize even the slightest advantage over their rivals ahead of tomorrow’s season-finale.
 
Verstappen carried his form from yesterday’s sessions into today’s, with the 23-year-old clearly intent on laying down a marker, and a blistering lap midway through the practice ensured he surpassed Hamilton to move into the lead - which is where he remained.
 
It was a solid session for Renault as Daniel Ricciardo and Esteban Ocon completed the top four behind Verstappen and Albon, with little to choose between the team-mates. Having been forced out of FP1 after experiencing fuel pressure issues, Ricciardo has recovered well and he goes into qualifying in great shape.
 
Lando Norris was another driver who caught the eye this afternoon, the McLaren man going about his business quietly and effectively, finishing the session in fifth place.
 
Having ended FP2 early yesterday, when the rear of his car caught fire, Kimi Raikonnen was back behind the wheel this afternoon and the Finn finished P17..
 
Overall, aside from the standout performers, it was an evenly contested third practice, with only half a second between Ricciardo, in third, and 13th-placed Pierre Gasly, meaning anything could happen in qualifying.
 
Qualifying is scheduled to take place later today (Saturday), before Abu Dhabi welcomes tomorrow’s final Grand Prix of the 2020 Formula 1 season at Yas Marina Circuit.