It looked like Lando Norris would be the man to top the timing sheets at the Yas Marina Circuit, but some impressive pace from the Mercedes man meant he finished ahead of the three championship protagonists, just four milliseconds clear of Norris when the chequered flag fell.

Verstappen found a bit more pace to get up into the top three, while a fine final lap from Fernando Alonso saw him sneak ahead of Oscar Piastri as the session came to an end.

Haas continued their good pace in Abu Dhabi as Esteban Ocon and Ollie Bearman took P6 and P7, respectively, while Charles Leclerc could only come in P8 in the Ferrari, while teammate Lewis Hamilton crashed out and brought out the red flag.

Kimi Antonelli and Alex Albon rounded out the top ten.

P1 George Russell (Mercedes) - 1:23.334

P2 Lando Norris (McLaren) - 1:23.338

P3 Max Verstappen (Red Bull) - 1:23.458

P4 Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) - 1:23.585

P5 Oscar Piastri (McLaren) - 1:23.593

P6 Esteban Ocon (Haas) - 1:23.605

P7 Olie Bearman (Haas) - 1:23.609

P8 Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) - 1:23.675

P9 Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) - 1:23.707

P10 Alexander Albon (Williams) - 1:23.722

P11 Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber) - 1:23.791

P12 Carlos Sainz (Williams) - 1:23.811

P13 Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber) - 1:23.870

P14 Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) - 1:23.895

P15 Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) - 1:23.947

P16 Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) - 1:23.979

P17 Pierre Gasly (Alpine) - 1:24.072

P18 Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) - 1:24.470

P19 Franco Colapinto (Alpine) - 1:24.501

P20 Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull) - 1:24.693