Abu Dhabi GP Practice Three: Sebastian Vettel produces shock

Sebastian Vettel produced a shock result in Practice Three, topping the session from Max Verstappen and Kimi Raikkonen.

Mercedes pair and title protagonists Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg had been topping the session following their qualifying simulations on the ultrasofts, but after the others bolted on another set of new purple-marked tyres, a lot of time was to be found.

Vettel's 1:40.775 saw him over a tenth clear of Verstappen and nearly three tenths quicker than Hamilton as the chequered flag fell.

"I think that is an impressive time from Vettel, we know he is good around this track, it is a typical kind of Vettel track," said Anthony Davidson in commentary.

The two Mercedes drivers are duelling for the world title and Hamilton knows a win gives him the best chance of overhauling a 12-point deficit to Rosberg - but even that may not be enough.

The pace shown by Red Bull and Ferrari in final practice could be a blessing for Hamilton who needs cars between himself and Rosberg on Sunday.

Ferrari's pace in sector two, the key overtaking zone, was particularly impressive and could cause Rosberg headaches if they can carry that speed into the race, even if Mercedes to qualify ahead of the scarlet cars.

Worryingly for Hamilton he had another reliability scare early in the session when he reported a loss of power on the two back straights. The issue was quickly resolved and put down as an "unexpected d-rate" by Mercedes.

The issue appeared similar to one which afflicted him during the European GP at Baku, but a ban on radio messages at that point prevented the team from telling him how to fix the problem.

Hamilton: I can go even quicker

Nevertheless it will have done little to settle his nerves, with Hamilton already vocal in how unreliability has cost him in 2016. 

Sergio Perez was seventh quickest for Force India as the Silverstone squad look to ensure they finish fourth in the standings and ahead of Williams, who were ninth quickest thanks to Valtteri Bottas.

Toro Rosso's session was spent under the watchful eye of the FIA after their tyre, wheel rim and hub problems on Friday. Twice Daniil Kvyat suffered deflations in the opening two sessions and the sports governing body were keen to check the overnight fix had indeed resolved the issue.

Abu Dhabi GP Practice Three Timesheet
1. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari, 1:40.775
2. Max Verstappen, Red Bull, + 0.137
3. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari, + 0.223
4. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, + 0.290
5. Nico Rosberg, Mercedes, + 0.393
6. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull, + 1.056
7. Sergio Perez, Force India, + 1.110
8. Nico Hulkenberg, Force India, + 1.292
9. Valtteri Bottas, Williams, + 1.301
10. Esteban Gutierrez, Haas, + 1.579
11. Fernando Alonso, McLaren, + 1.810
12. Jolyon Palmer, Renault, + 1.841
13. Jenson Button, McLaren, + 1.889
14. Felipe Massa, Williams, + 1.908
15. Romain Grosjean, Haas, + 2.030
16. Kevin Magnussen, Renault, + 2.282
17. Pascal Wehrlein, Manor, + 2.370
18. Carlos Sainz, Toro Rosso, + 2.526
19. Felipe Nasr, Sauber, + 2.642
20. Esteban Ocon, Manor, + 2.958
21. Daniil Kvyat, Toro Rosso, +3.330
22. Marcus Ericsson, Sauber, + 3.463