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

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

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 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

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 to second in the drivers’ championship, the fact it was conducted in hot sunshine and daylight means it is not representative of the night-time conditions Qualifying 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.

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Lando Norris and Sebastian Vettel both report smoke from their wheels in FP3 of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

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.

Why was Hamilton investigated?

The most dramatic moment of the session came as the ‘wheel brow’ that guards Gasly’s front right tyre came flying off the AlphaTauri.

A failure appeared to make the part come into contact with the tyre, which caused a puncture and for it to fly off, which triggered a red flag.

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Pierre Gasly causes the first red flag of the FP3 session after the wheel brow suddenly flew off causing a puncture

Hamilton, who initially appeared to be oblivious to the red flag, overtook Norris and Kevin Magnussen, who had already slowed down.

On board replays from Hamilton’s car suggested it was unclear whether he had seen a red flag before overtaking the two cars.

The 37-year-old was called to see the stewards immediately after the session, with the possible punishments for the infringement including a grid-penalty.