Charles Leclerc ready for Saudi qualifying after topping third straight practice session

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc set the pace in final practice for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix as Lewis Hamilton could only finish 11th.

Twenty-four hours after a missile strike on a nearby oil refinery, the drivers were back on track for the concluding action ahead of qualifying on Saturday evening.

Hamilton and his fellow drivers were understood to have signalled their intention not to participate in Sunday's race following the attack just 12 miles east of the Jeddah street circuit.

Fastest in FP1, FP2 and now FP3 @Charles_Leclerc is looking good ahead of qualifying #SaudiArabianGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/4swsBua1t5

But after seeking assurances from Saudi officials, F1 bosses declared the second round of the new season "secure", and it was Leclerc who led the way.

Leclerc, who won last weekend's opening round in Bahrain, snatched the fastest time away from Max Verstappen in the final seconds.

Verstappen, denied second place in Bahrain following a late fuel failure, finished just 0.033 seconds behind Leclerc, and ahead of Red Bull teamate Sergio Perez.

Carlos Sainz was fourth in the other Ferrari, with Alfa Romeo's Valtteri Bottas fifth.

Mercedes have struggled to get on top of the new regulations, and Hamilton finished a concerning 0.972 seconds off the pace, with team-mate George Russell even further back in 14th. British driver Lando Norris was only 19th for McLaren.

As we wait for qualifying under the lights...Take in the view from helmet cam during Friday's FP2#SaudiArabianGP @Charles_Leclerc pic.twitter.com/wYsh63Z4R6