Nov.18 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas almost didn't make it from Abu Dhabi to Macau ahead of this weekend's prestigious F3 race.

The Finn, a test driver for Williams, was among the 'young drivers' at Yas Marina this week for some precious F1 running.

But for the trip from the Middle East to China, time was tight ahead of F3 qualifying.

Turun Sanomat newspaper reports that the 22-year-old, after leaving the Abu Dhabi paddock after 5pm on Wednesday and missing his original flight, was still travelling when the morning practice session took place.

And his ferry from Hong Kong arrived just in time for qualifying.

The rush, however, might just have been worth it, given he was outpaced in Abu Dhabi by only a McLaren, a Ferrari and Jean-Eric Vergne's flying Red Bull.

Asked last week if he has any plans for Bottas, Sir Frank Williams said: "Depends how quick he is. He does look very good but I don't know enough about him."

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