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

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.

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

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

READ MORE: 'Cocky' Lando Norris given dressing down

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

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

Why are F1 cars even slower after FIA rule change?

• 18 minutes ago

F1 team principal first to break silence over FIA rule changes

• 1 hour ago

The £10,000 precedent for Red Bull asking Max Verstappen to stick to F1

• 2 hours ago

Lando Norris censored by his own management in awkward interview

• 3 hours ago

Max Verstappen looking elsewhere? Red Bull rebuild could take 'three years'

• Today 10:58

Concerns over Silverstone race emerge as FIA told to take action

• Today 09:57