Hamilton on top in third practice

AFP  |  ABU DHABI 

Newly crowned five-time world champion topped the times for Mercees in Saturday's third and final free practice ahead of Sunday's

Four-time champion was third fastest in the second Ferrari, four-tenths off the pace, ahead of in the leading and Valtteri Bottas in the second Mercedes.

Renault-bound was sixth in the second Red Bull, but his session was brought to an abrupt early end when he pulled off and parked following what seemed to be a gearbox or engine problem.

It signalled another setback for the luckless Australian who has this year had eight race retirements, more than Hamilton in the last five years with Mercedes.

Ricciardo, winner of two races this season, is due to start his 150th race on Sunday.

Frenchman was seventh for Haas ahead of German and Spaniard in the two Renaults and French protege Esteban Ocon, in his final weekend with Force India.

Grosjean was involved in a late clash with compatriot Pierre Gasly, who replaces Ricciardo at next season. The pair came together when Gasly gesticulated at Grosjean and drove straight on, his glancing off the Haas as bodywork parts flew off. Neither man was hurt.

Times Saturday in the third practice for te Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: 1. (GBR/Mercedes) 1:37.176, 2. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/Ferrari) 1:37.464, 3. (GER/Ferrari) 1:37.587, 4. (NED/Red Bull-TAG Heuer) 1:37.747, 5. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Mercedes) 1:37.933, 6. (AUS/Red Bull-TAG Heuer) 1:38.090, 7. (FRA/Haas-Ferrari) 1:38.304, 8. (GER/Renault) 1:38.850, 9. Jr (ESP/Renault) 1:38.970, 10. (FRA/Racing Point Force India) 1:39.011, 11. (MEX/Racing Point Force India) 1:39.053, 12. (NZL/Toro Rosso-Honda) 1:39.074, 13. (MON/Sauber-Ferrari) 1:39.282, 14. (DEN/Haas-Ferrari) 1:39.612, 15. (FRA/Toro Rosso-Honda) 1:39.740, 16. (ESP/McLaren) 1:39.974, 17. (SWE/Sauber-Ferrari) 1:39.997, 18. (CAN/Williams-Mercedes) 1:40.117, 19. Stoffel Vandoorne (BEL/McLaren) 1:40.233, 20. (RUS/Williams-Mercedes) 1:41.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Sat, November 24 2018. 18:10 IST