Last Updated: 11/19/22 1:46 PM Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Lewis Hamilton was investigated after the FP3 session for allegedly failing to slow under the red flag but later avoided any penalty Lewis Hamilton was investigated after the FP3 session for allegedly failing to slow under the red flag but later avoided any penalty Sergio Perez edged past Red Bull team-mate Max Verstappen to top practice for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix final as Lewis Hamilton avoided a penalty for failing to slow under a red flag. It was no surprise that constructors’ champions Red Bull stayed a step ahead of their rivals at the Yas Marina Circuit, but Perez being 0.152s clear of world champion Verstappen’s 1:24.982 was certainly unexpected. Mercedes had hoped overnight set-up changes would help them close the gap on Red Bull after Verstappen topped the second practice session on Friday, but Hamilton was more than two-tenths behind Perez, with teammate George Russell further back in fourth. Hamilton was finally cleared of wrongdoing after a nervous wait after being investigated for failing to slow down after a failure on Pierre Gasly’s AlphaTauri prompted a red flag. Hamilton overtook McLaren’s Lando Norris and Kevin Magnussen’s Haas as the red flag came out, but was later deemed to have taken “every reasonable action” to slow down. Avoiding a potential belt penalty boosts the seven-time world champion’s faint hopes of sealing a first win of the campaign in the season finale. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Sergio Perez found the pace in FP3 to beat teammate Max Vertsappen by 0.152 seconds at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Sergio Perez found the pace in FP3 to beat teammate Max Vertsappen by 0.152 seconds at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Norris, meanwhile, led a strong display from McLaren to take fifth ahead of Ferrari duo Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, with team-mate Daniel Ricciardo behind them in eighth. While the session provides encouragement for Perez as he seeks to beat Leclerc into second place in the drivers’ championship, the fact that it was held in warm sun and daylight means it is not representative of night-time conditions Qualifying and the race will be held in . However, the fact that Red Bull looked just as – if not more – strong under the lights on Friday is an ominous sign for their rivals. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Lando Norris and Sebastian Vettel reported smoke from their wheels in FP3 of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Lando Norris and Sebastian Vettel reported smoke from their wheels in FP3 of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Ferrari, whose team principal Mattia Binotto faces ongoing speculation over his job security, appeared a step behind both Red Bull and Mercedes, with Leclerc complaining about his engine during the session.

Why was Hamilton investigated?

The most dramatic moment of the session came as the ‘wheel eyebrow’ protecting Gasly’s front right tire flew off the AlphaTauri. There appeared to be a failure to get the component in contact with the tire, which caused it to puncture and fly, prompting a red flag. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Pierre Gasly causes the first red flag of the FP3 session after the wheel eyebrow suddenly leaves causing a puncture
Pierre Gasly causes the first red flag of the FP3 session after the wheel eyebrow suddenly leaves causing a puncture Hamilton, who simulated a ‘push lap’, initially appeared to ignore the red flag and passed Norris and Magnussen, who were both going slowly. On-board replays from Hamilton’s car showed it was unclear whether he had seen a red flag before passing the two cars. The 37-year-old was called to see the stewards immediately after the session, but then had to wait more than an hour before it was confirmed he had been cleared. The stewards cited a similar incident with Verstappen at last year’s Dutch Grand Prix as a precedent for their decision. An FIA statement said: “The driver of Car 44 took all reasonable steps to comply with the regulations as he immediately reduced speed in a safe manner at the first opportunity at the first indication of the red light.”

Abu Dhabi GP three practice time sheet

                Team Time 1) Sergio Perez Red Bull 1:24.982 2) Max Verstappen Red Bull +0.152 3) Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +0.240 4) George Russell Mercedes +0.413 5) Lando Norris McLaren +0.536 6) Charles Ferrier +7.5 Carlos Sainz Ferrari +0.623 8) Daniel Ricciardo McLaren +0.968 9) Sebastian Vettel Aston Martin +1.030 10) Alexander Albon Williams +1.069 11) Estaban Ocon Alpine +1.091 12) Fernando Alonso +109T.  Valtteri Bottas Alfa Romeo +1,207 15) Pierre Gasly AlphaTauri +1,257 16) Lance Stroll Aston Martin +1,316 17) Kevin Magnussen Haas +1,374 18) Mick Schumacher Haas +1,491 1900+19.