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Russell fastest in final practice session of 2023 in Abu Dhabi
George Russell backed up his P1 in FP1 by setting the fastest time in the final free practice session of the 2023 Formula 1 season at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
He finished a tenth-of-a-second clear of Lando Norris in P2, with his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri taking P3.
Behind him was the Williams of Alex Albon in P4, and Charles Leclerc rounded out the top five.
In the final free practice session of the 2023 Formula 1 season, the last practice session of the weekend in Abu Dhabi was the most important for teams and drivers after half of FP2 was lost due to red flags and delays.
Qualifying preparations in the final session
It was a quiet start to FP3 around the Yas Marina Circuit, with only half the drivers leaving their garage within the first ten minutes of the session.
However, pit boxes slowly vacated, and qualifying laps were done by all drivers on the track, apart from the two Ferrari's.
Russell, who topped the FP1 timesheets on Friday, set the early pace on the red-walled soft tyres, with the Red Bulls of Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez right behind him.
The Aston Martin car also showed some promising pace in the opening 30 minutes of the session, as Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso set the fourth and fifth fastest times in FP3.
Low fuel runs end the session
As the track in Abu Dhabi continued to ramp up, so did the times being set. The drivers at the top of the timesheets took on less fuel and bolted on new soft tyres in the final 15 minutes of the session.
Once again, George Russell topped the standings, highlighting the one-lap pace at the disposal of him and Lewis Hamilton, who was only able to finish in P12.
Behind the Brit were the two McLarens of Norris and Piastri, demonstrating the pace they have had for the second half of this season as they battle Aston Martin for fourth place in the constructors' championship.
Albon's fantastic season also continues, as he took P4 as the chequered flag fell in what has been a stunning season for the Thai-British driver.
Leclerc and Verstappen took P5 and P6, and Esteban Ocon, Logan Sargeant, Yuki Tsunoda and Zhou Guanyu rounded out the top ten.