Mexico – Free Practice 3: Verstappen asserts himself under tricky conditions

Return to the Autodrome Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico for the third free practice session. Following the trend of the first two practice sessions, will we witness the domination of Renault engines and the strong positions of the Diamond single-seaters? So far, the altitude seems to favor Renault and Red Bull. Is it an effect on the aerodynamics or the engine? We will try to find out more during this final practice session.

With 15°C, it’s under a clear but cool sky that the Mexico track opens, made wet by the morning rain which could also disrupt the upcoming session. A total change of conditions for the single-seaters compared to FP1 and 2. The first ones to head out are equipped with intermediate tires, even full-wet tires for the Williams.

🚥 GREEN LIGHT 🚥

We’re underway for the final hour of practice in Mexico!

Toro Rosso are straight on the GAS, as are Sauber 💪#MexicoGP 🇲🇽 #F1 pic.twitter.com/LOHcZYjkpb

— Formula 1 (@F1) 27 octobre 2018

With uncertain weather forecast for the upcoming weekend, the teams are well-advised to get accustomed to these wet conditions in order to anticipate the qualifications and, of course, the race.

After a reconnaissance lap for some teams, it’s back to the pits for the entire field. The track is wet and will have a hard time drying without running. The top teams are currently staying in the garage, with empty seats.

Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes exits on intermediate tires after 10 minutes of the session. Like a world champion already crowned, the Briton completes his reconnaissance lap at a cruising pace while cheerfully waving to the crowd.

An installation lap from Hamilton… with bonus Mexican wave 👋#MexicoGP 🇲🇽 #F1 pic.twitter.com/3BDB5NFP2Y

— Formula 1 (@F1) 27 octobre 2018

After 20 minutes of the session, the track is still wet and untouched by the cars. With conditions too wet for slicks and apparently too dry for intermediates, the various teams prefer to stay in the garage waiting for a change in conditions.

First appearance of Ferrari mid-session with Sebastian Vettel who calmly tests the Mexican track fitted with green-banded tires. While the trajectory is gradually drying, it remains nevertheless still unsuitable for slick tires according to the various protagonists.

Fernando Alonso uses his extensive experience to put his McLaren on hypersoft tires and completes a lap in 1:21.213 while driving cautiously.

We’re now half way through FP3 and the track is drying, so Fernando heads out on the pink-banded Hypersoft tyre. #MexicoGP pic.twitter.com/QxHCztTHkT

— McLaren (@McLarenF1) 27 octobre 2018

Pierre Gasly follows the Spanish driver, also equipped with tires with pink sidewalls.

Kimi Räikkönen takes to the track and snatches the provisional best time from Fernando Alonso.

There are twenty minutes left in this session, and the debates are heating up. The track is improving with the drying line, and the various teams are deploying their cars.

The times are dropping as the track dries, with Charles Leclerc notably holding the best time for a few minutes before Bottas improves his performance and then Vettel with a 1:17:836.

Fifteen minutes from the end, Valtteri Bottas’s Mercedes comes to a stop at the side of the track, engine smoking. While engine problems seem uncommon for the Silver Arrows, a hydraulic issue appears to be the cause of the failure. The virtual safety car is activated to secure the track.

⚠️ VIRTUAL SAFETY CAR (46/60 MINS) ⚠️

Valtteri Bottas pulls over in the stadium with a smokey Mercedes

BOT: “Hydraulic failure” 😬#MexicoGP 🇲🇽 #F1 pic.twitter.com/UR6gU0kM4B

— Formula 1 (@F1) 27 octobre 2018

Resumption of hostilities and the return of Monegasque Charles Leclerc, who comes back on top with a time of 1:17.059 ahead of Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen. The adjustments made to the Sauber after FP2 seem to be paying off.

The man on form this weekend, Max Verstappen, has made a big impact by registering a time of 1:16.385, breaking the track record previously held by Sebastian Vettel at 1:16.488.

The time goes crazy at the end of the session and Lewis Hamilton comes close to the Dutchman by less than two tenths, closely followed by Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo.

The top teams logically regain control of the leaderboard times.

Passage in the grass without incident for Romain Grosjean who misses the trajectory.

Battery recharging issue reported by Max Verstappen to his team, which doesn’t stop him from improving his time to 1:16:240, which will remain the benchmark for this session.

Second fastest for Lewis Hamilton, more than two-tenths behind the young Red Bull driver ahead of Sebastian Vettel.

The complete classification of FP3:

Different conditions, but the same face at the top of practice in Mexico@Max33Verstappen makes it three out of three 👌#MexicoGP 🇲🇽 #F1 pic.twitter.com/1rBNjcF6Q4

— Formula 1 (@F1) 27 octobre 2018