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Verstappen fastest during third free practice Abu Dhabi

Published on 12 December 2020 by Kees-Jan Koster

Max Verstappen was the fastest in the third free practice session for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The Dutchman was in the lead during most of the session and did sixteen laps on the 5.554 kilometre long Yes Marina Circuit with a 1:36.251 as fastest time. Teammate Alexander Albon was half a second behind in second position. Daniel Ricciardo completed for Renault the top three.

It is 14:00 local time when the lights go green for the final free practice session of the season. It takes fifteen minutes for the first drivers to leave the pitlane. Max comes out on track ten minutes later. He sets a 1:37.175 on a set of soft tyres and takes the lead. Alexander Albon, (+0.361), Lewis Hamilton (+0.386), Lando Norris (+0.792) and Valtteri Bottas (+0.859) form the top five for the moment.

After two cool down laps Max goes again for a quick lap, before turning back to the team. With a 1:36.734 the Aston Martin Red Bull Racing driver strengthens his lead. Lewis Hamilton, who has recovered from coronavirus, is almost six tenths behind the Dutchman.

Not much later both Mercedes come out for another run on the red marked tyres. Lewis Hamilton improves his time to a 1:37.012, Valtteri Bottas sets a 1:37.225. The gap to Verstappen is now three and five tenths respectively. Teammate Alexander Albon is in P4, eight tenths short of Verstappen.

With fifteen minutes to go Max comes out on track again on a new set of soft tyres. The Dutchman seems to be underway to improve his time again, but he goes wide when turning into turn eight, causing him to lose momentum. Nevertheless, he comes only eleven thousandths of a second short of his fastest time. A new attempt goes without any issues and he finishes with a 1:36.251.

Verstappen’s time is secure and when the session finishes the Red Bull’s lead the time list. Behind them Daniel Ricciardo (+0.626), Esteban Ocon (+0.648), Lando Norris (+0.743) and Lewis Hamilton (+0.761) form the top six.

Contest Abu Dhabi GP: win a by Max signed cap or a 1:43 scale model!

Results third free practice Abu-dhabi:

posdriverteamtimelaps
1Max VerstappenVERRed Bull Racing Honda1:36.251
2Alexander AlbonALBRed Bull Racing Honda1:36.752+0.501s
3Daniel RicciardoRICRenault1:36.877+0.626s
4Esteban OconOCORenault1:36.899+0.648s
5Lando NorrisNORMcLaren Renault1:36.994+0.743s
6Lewis HamiltonHAMMercedes1:37.012+0.761s
7Lance StrollSTRRacing Point BWT Mercedes1:37.030+0.779s
8Carlos SainzSAIMcLaren Renault1:37.068+0.817s
9Valtteri BottasBOTMercedes1:37.085+0.834s
10Sergio PerezPERRacing Point BWT Mercedes1:37.227+0.976s
11Daniil KvyatKVYAlphaTauri Honda1:37.266+1.015s
12Charles LeclercLECFerrari1:37.270+1.019s
13Pierre GaslyGASAlphaTauri Honda1:37.371+1.120s
14Sebastian VettelVETFerrari1:37.728+1.477s
15George RussellRUSWilliams Mercedes1:37.886+1.635s
16Antonio GiovinazziGIOAlfa Romeo Racing Ferrari1:37.900+1.649s
17Kimi RäikkönenRAIAlfa Romeo Racing Ferrari1:38.269+2.018s
18Kevin MagnussenMAGHaas Ferrari1:38.457+2.206s
19Nicholas LatifiLATWilliams Mercedes1:38.765+2.514s
20Pietro FittipaldiFITHaas Ferrari1:39.159+2.908s