France – Free Practice 3: Three laps and that’s all, the rain neutralizes the sessions

Until now dominated by Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes after his best times during the first two practice sessions, the French Grand Prix moves on to the third free practice session.

The Briton, equipped with a fresh engine for the weekend, seems to be the favorite for the upcoming events. We still need to watch the performances of his teammate Bottas and Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo, who is lurking in FP1 on soft tires and was the runner-up to the Mercedes driver in FP2. It’s likely that he still has some “in reserve.” Sebastian Vettel, on the other hand, could also be the surprise of FP3, as he often is.

The rain looms around the Paul Ricard circuit for the opening of this session. While the sky is still dry and warm with 26°C above the track, the risk of rain for free practice 3 is estimated at 80%. The asphalt, heated to a high by the Provençal summer sun, is still at 41°C when the cars arrive but could plunge rapidly with the onset of rain, especially since, judging by the dark clouds, a storm seems likely, probably accompanied by torrential rains as is customary in this region.

Well this could make things interesting…

FP3 coming up #FrenchGP 🇫🇷 #F1 pic.twitter.com/3igiSmvFnw

— Formula 1 (@F1) 23 juin 2018

The two Saubers open the proceedings followed by their teammates, and soon the rain, present at the Sainte-Beaume corner, surprises the drivers, all of whom started on slicks.

It’s official, we have rain! #FrenchGP 🇫🇷 #F1 pic.twitter.com/ysLn9nYlwL

— Formula 1 (@F1) 23 juin 2018

First mistake for Räikkönen in his initial laps as he narrowly avoids ending up in the blue stripes.

On his part, Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas begins his laps by setting an initial benchmark time of 1:33.666 on Ultra soft tires before returning to the pits. At this point in the session, he is followed by Carlos Sainz with a time of 1:34.953 and Charles Leclerc with 1:35.012. The drivers make a cautious start, returning to the pits to assess the potential arrival of rain and respond accordingly.

As the rain intensifies, Max Verstappen begins his session, still on soft tires with yellow sidewalls. Sebastian Vettel is also driving slowly before returning to his pit box.

Bad idea for the young Dutchman as he struggles to stay on the now very wet track and narrowly avoids disaster.

It’s pretty slippery out there #FrenchGP 🇫🇷 #F1 pic.twitter.com/m1BFuHOoQJ

— Formula 1 (@F1) 23 juin 2018

The entire field returns to the pits after only 3 or 4 laps on the track. The provisional best time remains attributed to Bottas.

Someone didn’t pack a brolly ☂️

Good improvisation though 😀#FrenchGP 🇫🇷 #F1 pic.twitter.com/CFDJsUJEFJ

— Formula 1 (@F1) 23 juin 2018

Monsieur, that might not be big enough 😂#FrenchGP 🇫🇷 #F1 pic.twitter.com/njU3rHNB8f

— Formula 1 (@F1) 23 juin 2018

No driver ventures onto the soaked track for the moment. Seated in their single-seaters, some exchange strategy and settings with their engineers, while others pose for the cameras.

Talking tactics, waiting for the rain to clear #FrenchGP 🇫🇷 #F1 pic.twitter.com/3bRHJHQZbo

— Formula 1 (@F1) 23 juin 2018

Yoo-hoo 👋 #FrenchGP 🇫🇷 #F1 pic.twitter.com/df6xmShtWX

— Formula 1 (@F1) 23 juin 2018

It could nevertheless prove useful to test the wet settings and tires in case of a wet qualifying session. Nevertheless, all teams seem to be betting on the return of good weather and a dry track.

30 minutes after the start of these FP3, the sky around the circuit remains clear in some places, and it is clearly a local storm disturbance. Not announced by the weather forecast this morning, it is still possible that it may maintain its presence over the circuit and affect the qualifications.

Still raining…

30 mins remaining in FP3#FrenchGP 🇫🇷 #F1 pic.twitter.com/pAXDW4g9rq

— Formula 1 (@F1) 23 juin 2018

Remains to be seen if some drivers will be ready to commit in order to try, why not, a gamble for the qualifications.

That’s when, ten minutes before the end of the session, Fernando Alonso takes his McLaren onto the track equipped with wet tires and cheered by the crowd. The two Williams cars of Lance Stroll and Sergey Sirotkin follow him.

Hang on… what’s this?! #FrenchGP 🇫🇷 #F1 pic.twitter.com/XwUB70nLr1

— Formula 1 (@F1) 23 juin 2018

It’s only @alo_oficial heading out on track 💪 #FrenchGP 🇫🇷 #F1 pic.twitter.com/ZBCbW8CgzS

— Formula 1 (@F1) 23 juin 2018

The Alonso show was short-lived as he returned to his pits immediately, while Stoll and Sirotkin continued testing the wet setup in anticipation of a possible qualifying session under these conditions. If the Williams cars have been regularly at the back of the grid since the start of the season, it might be wise for the team to attempt this type of gamble.

The conditions are difficult and Stroll narrowly avoids losing control of his Williams and is forced to shortcut through the escape areas.

Lance Stroll dips his toes in the water #FrenchGP 🇫🇷 #F1 pic.twitter.com/H4EYFnrYYQ

— Formula 1 (@F1) 23 juin 2018

Once the two Williams cars returned to the pits and with less than three minutes left in the session, it was the Monegasque Charles Leclerc who went out to test the track, immediately followed by the two Toro Rosso cars of Gasly and Hartley and the McLaren of Stoffel Vandoorne.

Last lap for Leclerc and once again he is forced to use an escape route to keep his Sauber on track.

The session concludes with Valtteri Bottas delivering the best performance at 1:33.666, ahead of Sainz by more than one second, and Leclerc closely following the Spaniard by just over a tenth.

A rain-affected FP3 is now over

TOP TEN
BOT
SAI
LEC 📸
ALO
VET
VAN
GAS
ERI
PER
RIC#FrenchGP 🇫🇷 #F1 pic.twitter.com/nWnW7xTkMy

— Formula 1 (@F1) 23 juin 2018

From our special correspondent in Le Castellet