F1 Abu Dhabi GP LIVE: Qualifying start time, schedule and title showdown updates

“They [Norris and Piastri are more relaxed than I’ve ever seen, they are enjoying the pressure of the world championship battle. We had a nice team BBQ two nights ago, some nice speeches.

“The team is remarkably calm. We’re very focused and what we realised is bringing any emotion to the pit-wall will not be productive, so staying very focused.”

Usual procedure at the start of FP3, with the majority of the cars just sitting in the garage.

Franco Colapinto is one of few cars out on the Yas Marina Circuit right now…

And we are a go with the third and final practice session of the weekend.

Not always the most representative session, given the warmer conditions, but key for the drivers to dial in ahead of a vital qualifying later on today.

The final practice session of the season is now just five minutes away.

For the title contenders, it’s their final chance to make a statement ahead of qualifying this evening.

It’s a warm day on Yas Island – around 27C. Who will keep their cool in the heat of battle today?

With Norris needing just a podium, would Piastri simply move aside if instructed by his team on Sunday?

Piastri, smiling as the inevitable question was asked ten minutes in, placed an early serve in the team’s court. “It’s not something we’ve discussed,” said the cool-headed Australian. “I don’t have an answer until I know what’s expected of me.”

Norris said: “It’s up to Oscar if he’d allow it, it’s not down to me,”

“Would I be willing to [cede position for a title] or not? Personally, I would – that’s how I am. I’m not going to ask for it as I don’t think it’s a fair question.

“But if that’s how it ends and Max wins, well done to him, we go to next year. It won’t change my life.”

4. George Russell (Mercedes) – 309 points

5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 230 points

7. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 152 points

8. Alex Albon (Williams) – 73 points

9. Carlos Sainz (Williams) – 64 points

10. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) – 51 points

11. Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber) – 49 points

12. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – 48 points

13. Ollie Bearman (Haas) – 41 points

14. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) – 38 points

15. Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull) – 33 points

16. Esteban Ocon (Haas) – 32 points

17. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) – 32 points

18. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) – 22 points

19. Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber) – 19 points

20. Franco Colapinto (Alpine) – 0 points

21. Jack Doohan (Alpine) – 0 points

And they look fairly relaxed to me!

“We’ll be practical and realistic if the race develops,” he said, on the potential for team orders tomorrow. “We’ll race accordingly to do whatever we can to get that driver in front.

“We’re not going to throw away a drivers’ championship.”

Can Norris join this special list?

1. Mike Hawthorn (1958)
2. Graham Hill (1962, 1968)
3. Jim Clark (1963, 1965)
4. John Surtees (1964)2)
5. Sir Jackie Stewart (1969, 1971, 1973)
6. James Hunt (1976)
7. Nigel Mansell (1992)
8. Damon Hill (1996)
9. Lewis Hamilton (2008, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020)
10. Jenson Button (2009)