Verstappen, suffering from a lowered light level on his dash, was quick to get out and set the initial pace with a 1.24.997 on a quiet track, using Pirelli’s medium compound. The Dutchman soon followed up his opening time with a 1.24.828 following two cool down laps.

With just over ten minutes gone from the session, the second championship contender, Lewis Hamilton took to the track on a set of soft tyres setting an opening lap time of 1.24.241, over half a second clear of Verstappen and over a second quicker than outgoing Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas.

With just over twenty minutes gone from the session Valtteri Bottas pipped his teammate by 0.030s before Hamilton responded with a 1.23.274 with a fastest first and second sector but a slight mistake in the final sector left time on the table.

Now we wait for qualifying ⏰ Max and Checo are P2 and P4 at the end of FP3 🏁 #AbuDhabiGP 🇦🇪 pic.twitter.com/rLSqGoasff

— Red Bull Racing Honda (@redbullracing) December 11, 2021

With just over half of the session gone, AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda alongside teammate Pierre Gasly were showing strong pace for the team, occupying P5 and P6 respectively, with times set on the hard compound tyres.

Elsewhere Kimi Raikkonen, taking part in his final practice session of his formula 1 career was showcasing his pace with a time fast enough for P7, albeit on tyres two compounds softer than those around him. His pace however is backed up by a strong showing from Alfa Romeo last time out in Jeddah. The 2007 World Champion also sat on the top spot in the speed trap with just twenty minutes remaining.

In the closing minutes of the session Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz managed a time fast enough for P3 on medium tyres before the soft tyre laden AlphaTauri of Tsunoda managed to top his time.

Max has a moment at the newly configured Turn 9

#AbuDhabiGP 🇦🇪 #F1 pic.twitter.com/lXnppl66e3

— Formula 1 (@F1) December 11, 2021

Verstappen, struggling with front locking and turn in, announced his frustration over team radio, the Dutchman seemingly struggling to match the pace of the two Mercedes cars, as well as that of his teammate Sergio Perez. Once the championship leader managed to complete a clean lap on the soft tyres he managed P2, still over 2 tenths of a second off Hamilton and only faster in the final sector.

As the drivers lined up on the grid for their final practice starts, the stage is set for the thrilling conclusion of what has been a dramatic and exciting season-long championship battle.