Summary of the Abu Dhabi GP FP3 Session

As the tension mounts for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, McLaren has solidified its momentum with an impressive one-two finish in the final practice session (FP3), setting the stage for an exhilarating qualifying session.

McLaren's Oscar Piastri led the pack, showcasing remarkable speed, closely followed by teammate Lando Norris, while seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton managed to secure third position despite an unusual hiccup involving a Mercedes sticker.

Piastri clocked a stunning lap time of 1:23.433, demonstrating the rapid advancement of McLaren's performance this season. This impressive showing underscores their quest for the Constructors' Championship as they push to outpace their Ferrari rivals.

Notably, Hamilton's performance in FP3 was noteworthy considering he was distracted earlier in the session by a sticker that needed to be removed from his car, yet he managed to unlock additional speed later on to clinch third place.

Session Overview and Key Competitors

The practice session commenced with favorable conditions at Yas Marina Circuit, where Fernando Alonso, driving for Aston Martin, expressed optimism despite earlier struggles with his car's performance.

Alpine's Jack Doohan initially set the pace with a lap of 1:25.633, signaling that there would be fierce competition throughout the morning.

As the practice continued, a familiar hierarchy emerged on the timing screens. However, it was Haas' Kevin Magnussen who shocked everyone by temporarily taking the lead, only to be outpaced by a flurry of faster laps from the front-runners.

Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz soon joined the mix, but it was McLaren who ultimately stole the show.

Final Moments and FP3 Results

With just minutes remaining, Piastri and Norris disrupted the order with their blistering times. Verstappen, complaining about brake issues, found himself in P4, reflecting the challenges that Red Bull might face in the qualifying series.

Meanwhile, Ferrari struggled to find pace, with Sainz and Leclerc finishing in fifth and ninth, respectively.

As the session wrapped up, Hamilton capitalized on newfound grip and speed in his Mercedes to squeak past Verstappen, securing P3 and bringing renewed hopes to his team just before qualifying.

FP3 Results ahead of Qualifying

Here’s a look at the FP3 results ahead of what promises to be a dramatic qualifying session: 1. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 1:23.433 2. Lando Norris (McLaren) – +0.193 3. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) – +0.390 4. Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing) – +0.411 5. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) – +0.438 6. George Russell (Mercedes) – +0.642 7. Nico Hulkenberg (Haas) – +0.660 8. Kevin Magnussen (Haas) – +0.661 9. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – +0.665 10. Sergio Perez (Red Bull) – +0.850.

With the stage brilliantly set for qualifying, it’s evident that every detail counts in this thrilling finale to the F1 2024 season! Fans worldwide are on the edge of their seats, eager to see if McLaren can clinch the Constructors' Championship or if Hamilton can turn the tide in a dramatic showdown!