Abu Dhabi GP: Sergio Perez fastest in Practice Three as Lewis Hamilton investigated after red flag incident

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Sergio Perez outpaced Red Bull team-mate Max Verstappen to top final practice at the Yas Marina Circuit; Lewis Hamilton under investigation for failing to slow under red flag; watch Abu Dhabi GP Qualifying later on Saturday live at 2pm, with build-up from 1.15pm

Last Updated: 11/19/22 12:21pm

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Lewis Hamilton will be investigated after the FP3 session for allegedly failing to slow down under the red flag

Lewis Hamilton will be investigated after the FP3 session for allegedly failing to slow down under the red flag

Sergio Perez outpaced Red Bull team-mate Max Verstappen to top final practice at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, as Lewis Hamilton was left facing a stewards investigation for failing to slow down under a red flag.

There was little surprise that constructors’ champions Red Bull remained a step ahead of their rivals at the Yas Marina Circuit, but Perez being 0.152s clear of world champion Verstappen with a 1:24.982 was certainly unexpected.

Mercedes were hoping overnight setup changes would help them close the gap to Red Bull after Verstappen had topped second practice on Friday, but Hamilton was more than two tenths back from Perez, with team-mate George Russell further back in fourth.

Hamilton faces a nervous wait – and likely meeting with the stewards – after the session, having come under investigation for failing to slow down after a failure on Pierre Gasly’s AlphaTauri triggered a red flag.

Replays suggested Hamilton may not have been aware of the red flag as he overtook McLaren’s Lando Norris, but the seven-time world champion could now face a grid penalty, which would harm his faint hopes of sealing a first victory of the campaign in the season. finale.

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Sergio Perez finds the pace in FP3 and beats teammate Max Vertsappen by 0.152s at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Sergio Perez finds the pace in FP3 and beats teammate Max Vertsappen by 0.152s at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Norris, meanwhile, led a strong showing 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 to Perez as he seeks to beat Leclerc for second place in the drivers’ championship, the fact that it was conducted in hot sunshine and daylight means it is not representative of the night-time qualifying conditions and the race will be run in .

However, the fact that Red Bull looked equally – if not more – strong under the lights on Friday, is an ominous sign for their rivals.

Ferrari, whose team principal Mattia Binotto is facing continued speculation over his job security, appeared a step behind both Red Bull and Mercedes, with Leclerc heard complaining about his engine during the session.

More to follow…

Abu Dhabi GP Practice Three Timesheet Driver 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 Leclerc Ferrari +0.589 7) 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 Alpine +1.094 13) Yuki Tsunoda AlphaTauri +1.188 14) 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 19) Zhou Guanyu Alfa Romeo +1.500 20 ) Nicolas Latifi Williams +1.664 .

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