F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Results Today: George Russell delivers McLaren scare after setting pace

George Russell, FP3, Las Vegas, 2025 — Photo: © IMAGO

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

F1 Results Today: George Russell delivers McLaren scare after setting pace in Abu Dhabi

A thrilling conclusion to the 2025 F1 season

Sheona Mountford F1 Journalist

Motorsport journalist working in F1 since 2024.

Saturday 6 December 2025 12:45 Updated: 11:32

George Russell disrupted the F1 title race party in FP3 at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, setting the fastest time ahead of Lando Norris and Max Verstappen.

The Mercedes star emerged as surprise contender for pole position on the soft tyres, with Fernando Alonso also outpacing Oscar Piastri for fourth, in what promises to be a thrilling qualifying session under the floodlights.

Lewis Hamilton's pace looked good in FP3, but as he rapidly approached the high-speed Turn 9 he followed in the turbulent air of the car in front and lost his Ferrari at the kerb, sent spinning into the barriers.

Article continues under video

The crash caused a red flag, as a desolate Hamilton retrieved the piece of broken front wing and placed it inside his Ferrari.

"Something buckled at the front and snapped the rear," he explained over team radio.

There was also a hairy moment for Norris during the session, as he approached a slow moving Yuki Tsunoda on the racing line and had to make a side quest onto the run-off area to avoid contact with the Red Bull.

Tsunoda waved his hand in apology, but the incident was placed under investigation and the Red Bull star will visit the stewards after FP3.

This wasn't the end of the drama for Tsunoda, who collided with Kimi Antonelli in the pit lane after what appeared to be an unsafe release from Mercedes.

The contact destroyed the Red Bull's right sidepods and Mercedes were placed under investigation by the stewards.

F1 FP3 Results: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Position	Driver	Team	Gap
1	George Russell	Mercedes	1:23.334
2	Lando Norris	McLaren	+0.004secs
3	Max Verstappen	Red Bull	+0.124secs
4	Fernando Alonso	Aston Martin	+0.251secs
5	Oscar Piastri	McLaren	+0.259secs
6	Esteban Ocon	Haas	+0.271secs
7	Oliver Bearman	Haas	+0.275secs
8	Charles Leclerc	Ferrari	+0.341secs
9	Kimi Antonelli	Mercedes	+0.373secs
10	Alex Albon	Williams	+0.388secs
11	Gabriel Bortoleto	Kick Sauber	+0.457secs
12	Carlos Sainz	Williams	+0.477secs
13	Nico Hulkenberg	Kick Sauber	+0.536secs
14	Lance Stroll	Aston Martin	+0.561secs
15	Liam Lawson	Racing Bulls	+0.613secs
16	Isack Hadjar	Racing Bulls	+0.645secs
17	Pierre Gasly	Alpine	+0.738secs
18	Lewis Hamilton	Ferrari	+1.136secs
19	Franco Colapinto	Alpine	+1.167secs
20	Yuki Tsunoda	Red Bull	+1.359secs

Who is the current F1 world champion?

Max Verstappen is the reigning F1 champion, and won his fourth drivers' championship last year.

Is there F1 today?

Yes! Qualifying takes place at 6pm local time (GST). Click here to find out what time the all important qualifying session is on where you are.

F1 title deciding scenario points

Points if
Finishing Position	Norris	Verstappen	Piastri
P1	433	421	417
P2	426	414	410
P3	423	411	407
P4	420	408	404
P5	418	406	402
P6	416	404	400
P7	414	402	398
P8	412	400	396
P9	410	398	394
P10	409	397	393

Written by

Sheona Mountford - F1 Journalist

Sheona Mountford is a motorsport journalist specialising in F1. As a writer and contributor, she covers a wide range of motorsport series from F1 to F1 Academy, responsible for breaking news, live race coverage and in depth analysis of the sport and the culture around it.

View full biography

F1 George Russell Abu Dhabi Grand Prix F1 Results