Max Verstappen leads Red Bull one-two in final Abu Dhabi Grand Prix practice

Dominant Mercedes struggled, with Hamilton sixth fastest and Bottas ninth

A handout photo made available by the FIA of Dutch driver Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing in action during the third practice session of the Formula One Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. The Formula One Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi will take place on 13 December 2020. EPA

Pietro Fittipaldi of Brazil driving the (51) Haas F1 Team VF-20 Ferrari on track during final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. Getty Images

Valtteri Bottas of Finland driving the (77) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team Mercedes W11 on track during final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. Getty Images

Lance Stroll of Canada driving the (18) Racing Point RP20 Mercedes on track during final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. Getty Images

Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (33) Aston Martin Red Bull Racing RB16 on track during final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. Getty Images

Esteban Ocon of France driving the (31) Renault Sport Formula One Team RS20 on track during final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. Getty Images

Antonio Giovinazzi of Italy driving the (99) Alfa Romeo Racing C39 Ferrari on track during final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. Getty Images

A handout photo made available by the FIA of German driver Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari in action during the third practice session of the Formula One Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. The Formula One Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi will take place on 13 December 2020. EPA

Lando Norris of Great Britain driving the (4) McLaren F1 Team MCL35 Renault on track during final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. Getty Images

Esteban Ocon of France driving the (31) Renault Sport Formula One Team RS20 on track during final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. Getty Images

Red Bull led the way in the third and final practice session for the Etihad Airways Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Saturday as Max Verstappen led teammate Alexander Albon but dominant Mercedes found themselves in unfamiliar territory.

Dutchman Verstappen lapped the Yas Marina Circuit in one minute, 36.251 seconds, 0.501 seconds clear of his British-born Thai teammate Albon.

Daniel Ricciardo was third for Renault with his teammate Esteban Ocon in fourth.

World champion Lewis Hamilton, back in action after missing last week's Sakhir Grand Prix due to Covid-19, was the lead Mercedes in sixth, 0.761 seconds slower than Verstappen. Teammate Valtteri Bottas, who had set the fastest time on Friday, was ninth.

Mercedes, running a special livery with the names of about 2,000 team personnel on their cars, have taken pole in Abu Dhabi every year since 2014. They have started every race but one this season from the front of the grid.

Hamilton indicated on Friday that the team, who this year wrapped up a record seventh straight title double, could use Saturday’s hour-long session to run their cars on higher fuel loads, suggesting normal order could be restored come qualifying.

Lando Norris was fifth for McLaren ahead of Hamilton, who has wrapped up a record-equalling seventh title.

Lance Stroll was seventh for Racing Point ahead of Carlos Sainz in the other McLaren.

Sergio Perez, winner in Sakhir last week who is set to start Sunday's race from the back of the grid thanks to engine-related penalties, rounded out the top 10 for Racing Point.

George Russell, who stood in for Hamilton in Sakhir and nearly won the race, was 15th on his Williams return behind Sebastian Vettel who took part in his final practice session for Ferrari.