Verstappen in the driver's seat, but Hamilton, Ferrari close by: Abu Dhabi GP FP3 Results

Max Verstappen put himself in pole position for qualifying success after topping the timesheets in FP3, but Lewis Hamilton and both Ferraris also suggested that the battle could be intense.

Verstappen took P1 late in the session as the track cooled, although the asphalt temperature will fall further for qualifying at dusk in Yas Marina.

Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas were just a tenth adrift of Verstappen, although Bottas knows he will start from the back of the grid, having been fitted with a second new engine of the weekend on Saturday morning.

Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc were around half a second adrift of Verstappen, but their lap times were set on medium tyres, hinting that the Scuderia may be holding something in hand.

Abu Dhabi GP FP3 results

1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 1:36.566
2. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 1:36.640
3. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) 1:36.655
4. Alexander Albon (Red Bull) 1:36.927
5. Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) 1:36.975
6. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 1:37.010
7. Sergio Perez (Racing Point) 1:37.516
8. Daniel Ricciardo (Renault) 1:37.615
9. Carlos Sainz (McLaren) 1:37.691
10. Pierre Gasly (Toro Rosso) 1:37.736
11. Romain Grosjean (Haas) 1:37.768
12. Daniil Kvyat (Toro Rosso) 1:37.963
13. Lando Norris (McLaren) 1:38.100
14. Kevin Magnussen (Haas) 1:38.198
15. Lance Stroll (Racing Point) 1:38.462
16. Kimi Raikkonen (Alfa Romeo) 1:38.514
17. Nico Hulkenberg (Renault) 1:38.580
18. Antonio Giovinazzi (Alfa Romeo) 1:38.782
19. George Russell (Williams) 1:39.206
20. Robert Kubica (Williams) 1:39.859

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

Fernando Alonso retires himself from Azerbaijan Grand Prix in new Aston Martin low

• 31 minutes ago

Flavio Briatore considers Franco Colapinto action after 'very poor' move at Azerbaijan GP

• 2 hours ago

McLaren misery is all their own fault (again) after Azerbaijan Grand Prix blunders

• 3 hours ago

F1 team boss reveals 'secret six months of negotiations' after signing Mercedes star

• Today 10:57

Max Verstappen calls for F1 races to be cancelled over safety concerns

• Today 09:45

Christian Horner claims Red Bull F1 team is cooked without him: 'It's lost its mojo'

• Today 08:58