Lewis Hamilton crashes out of final practice in Abu Dhabi
Lewis Hamilton has apologised to his team after he crashed out of final practice for the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, reports BritPanorama.
The seven-time world champion lost control of his Ferrari through turn nine at the Yas Marina Circuit, completing a 360-degree pirouette before crashing into the barriers head-on. The incident resulted in significant damage to the front of the car.
Hamilton’s spin occurred just before championship hopeful Lando Norris finished second, narrowly missing the top time by just four thousandths of a second behind Mercedes’ George Russell. Max Verstappen secured third, 0.124 seconds off the pace, while Oscar Piastri came in fifth.
After the accident, Hamilton walked away reportedly stating on the radio, “Something buckled at the front and snapped the rear.” He subsequently apologised to his team, retrieved a damaged section of his front wing to place on top of his wrecked car, and returned to the pit lane on a moped. The one-hour session was red-flagged for 13 minutes to remove his Ferrari from the track.
With qualifying set to begin at 2pm, the timeline poses a challenge for Hamilton’s mechanics, who will have less than three hours to repair his car. Hamilton, 40, has had a challenging first season with Ferrari, poised to end the year without a single podium finish after his move from Mercedes, which he described as a lifelong dream.
The lone highlight of his season came from a sprint race win in China, with his struggles exemplified by the worst qualifying result of his career in Las Vegas, where he started in 20th position. Despite expressing frustration, Hamilton remains resolute, insisting he does not regret joining Ferrari, highlighting personal growth through adversity.
Looking ahead, Hamilton suggested that deeper structural and personnel changes might be necessary for the team to improve into 2026. Meanwhile, the speculation about his long-term future continues as reports indicate Ferrari may not extend his contract beyond 2026.
Norris, in a strong position to secure his maiden title, expressed confidence after dominating practice, maintaining a commanding lead over rival Max Verstappen. He will secure the championship if he finishes at least third in Sunday’s 58-lap race, with the pressure mounting from not just Verstappen, but also from Piastri, who remains in contention.
In the high stakes of Formula One, Hamilton’s misstep serves as a poignant reminder of the fine line between triumph and disaster in the sport. The drama surrounding the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix encapsulates both the fierce competition and the unpredictability inherent in racing.
