2024 F1 Round 24 Abu Dhabi GP FP3: Piastri fastest in 1m23.433s as McLaren claim a second straight practice one-two, Hamilton third

INKA Sports — Third practice for the 2024 Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix concluded at Yas Marina on 7 December. McLaren continued to set the pace, with Oscar Piastri fastest on a 1m23.433s lap and team mate Lando Norris second, 0.193s behind. It was McLaren’s second consecutive practice one-two. Lewis Hamilton was third, 0.390s off the benchmark, giving him an encouraging position during the final weekend of his Mercedes career.

For McLaren, who led Ferrari by 21 points in the constructors’ championship, the FP3 one-two set an ideal tone for qualifying. With a first constructors’ title since 1998 within reach, the team had shown consistent, strong competitiveness throughout the season-ending weekend’s practice sessions. Piastri and Norris took turns at the top, with little separating the two MCL38s, underlining the balance of strength across the team.

Ferrari’s situation looked increasingly difficult. Smoke briefly emerged from the rear of Sainz’s car, raising concerns about a mechanical problem. Fortunately, the issue was not serious, but he could not join the fight at the front and finished fifth, 0.438s behind. Leclerc was only ninth, 0.665s off the pace and more than two-tenths slower than Sainz. During practice, the Monegasque complained about Ferrari’s lack of competitiveness and was unhappy with the car’s condition. With a ten-place grid penalty already confirmed, Ferrari faced an increasingly difficult task in overturning McLaren at the final round to win the constructors’ title.

Verstappen recovered some form in FP3 to finish fourth, 0.411s behind, while also reporting brake problems during the session. Having already sealed his drivers’ title defence this season, the Dutchman was aiming for a fifth consecutive victory in Abu Dhabi.

Haas maintained their strong form at the event, with Hulkenberg seventh and Magnussen eighth, 0.660s and 0.661s behind respectively and almost inseparable. Mercedes’ Russell was puzzled by his pace, saying: “I don’t know what’s happening. The car feels okay, but it’s just slow.” He finished the session sixth, 0.642s off the lead.

RB’s Yuki Tsunoda placed 11th, 0.910s behind the fastest time and just 0.06s off tenth-placed Perez, offering hope of a Q3 appearance. However, he remained around 0.25s behind Haas, RB’s direct rival in seventh place in the constructors’ standings. Team mate Liam Lawson was 17th, 1.086s off the pace.

Qualifying was scheduled for Saturday evening, with the two championship-contending teams set to battle for favourable starting positions for Sunday’s race.