FP3: Hamilton tops final practice session

  • Published on 24 Nov 2018 12:00
  • comments 0
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Lewis Hamilton has ended the final practice session of the season on top, beating Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen by almost three-tenths of a second. It marks the first time the Briton has headed a session this weekend as he aims to close out his season on a high.

Mercedes stated on Friday night that it was hopeful his damaged engine from Brazil will not need to be replaced throughout the weekend. The Briton concluded the 60-minute session ahead of both Ferrari's, with Raikkonen getting the better of teammate Sebastian Vettel.

Raikkonen is being investigated after he crossed the white line twice at the pitlane entry. The Finn hesitated to come into the pits and cut the line to come in but then opted to turn out and return to the racetrack. On Friday, Hamilton was reprimanded for a similar incident.

Vettel was over four-tenths down on Hamilton's time and had Max Verstappen snipping at his heels. The Dutchman set his qualifying simulation lap towards the end of the session and ended up a tenth and a half down on Vettel.

Valtteri Bottas, who took pole position and the win twelve months ago at the Yas Marina Circuit was fifth. In his final practice session for Red Bull Racing, Daniel Ricciardo was sixth fastest, almost a second down on Hamilton's time.

However the Australian's session ended four minutes before the chequered flag. The RB14 was hit with a loss of water pressure as he drove along the straight and was instructed to pull the car over to halt any chance of further issues. 

There was an unusual incident at the end of the session when Romain Grosjean and Pierre Gasly made contact at Turn 17. Gasly, who was on a fast lap, appeared to get held up by his compatriot. But as they went side by side through the corner, the two made contact resulting in bodywork damage for the Toro Rosso.

Grosjean ended the session as best of the rest, ahead of the two Renaults of Nico Hulkenberg and Carlos Sainz. Esteban Ocon ended his final free practice session for the foreseeable future rounding out the top ten for Force India.

Charles Leclerc made contact with the barriers at the exit of Turn 19. The Monegasque driver lost the rear and spun into the wall, making light contact but enough to damage the rear wing. He was able to return to the circuit before the end of the session, getting away with any major damage.

F1Grand Prix United Arab Emirates - Free practice 3

AE Yas Marina Circuit - 24 November 2018

Replies (0)

Login to reply

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Red Bull Racing
  • Points 2,918
  • Podiums 109
  • Grand Prix 203
  • Country NL
  • Date of b. Sep 30 1997 (27)
  • Place of b. Hasselt (Belgie), NL
  • Weight 70 kg
  • Length 1.8 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar