England: Free Practice 3: A Leclerc-Vettel-Hamilton trio within the same tenth!
At the end of a session that began under wet conditions, the Ferraris were able to secure the best times, with Charles Leclerc edging out his teammate by a few hundredths. Hamilton follows the Italians ahead of a strong-performing Pierre Gasly. The two Renaults appear to be competitive for the rest of the weekend.
The latest weather conditions before we kick off today’s action ☁️ #BritishGP 🇬🇧 #F1 pic.twitter.com/Q3xWYJ2hL4
— Formula 1 (@F1) 13 juillet 2019
A grayish and cool weather welcomes the free practice session 3 at Silverstone. The typically English conditions are on the verge of rain, and humidity is present. Race control announces a wet track.
George Russell is the only one to take to the track during the first 10 minutes, taking advantage of a circuit free of any competitors. The pit lane remains calm, as the various protagonists wait for weather conditions to stabilize.
Around the first quarter-hour of the session, Charles Leclerc goes out to test the English asphalt equipped with intermediate tires. The Monegasque returns to the pits at the end of the lap.
Leclerc ventures out on intermediate tyres for a look 🔍#BritishGP 🇬🇧 #F1 pic.twitter.com/vXCfMm4erd
— Formula 1 (@F1) 13 juillet 2019
Lewis Hamilton imitates the Ferrari driver a few minutes later, also on intermediate tires, and informs his team that the track conditions can accommodate dry-weather tires.
Return to the direct pit stop for the Englishman who comes to equip with red tires. The reigning world champion wants to drive, and his enthusiasm seems to motivate the rest of the grid, which begins to come alive.
After half an hour of the session, only three drivers completed a timed lap: George Russell, Robert Kubica, and Valtteri Bottas.
The single-seaters go out, equipped with slick tires, and as the laps go by, the track dries up and the times improve.
The Mercedes/Ferrari battle resumes, with Red Bull still in the pits.
In this session, Charles Leclerc temporarily takes the best time with 1:27.446, before quickly being overtaken by the Mercedes, notably Lewis Hamilton with 1:26.746.
The stopwatch ticks down as the turn sharpens.
Finally on track, the Red Bulls are entering the fray. Max Verstappen secures the 3rd fastest time while Pierre Gasly gradually improves his performance to come within 0.03 seconds of his teammate as the session approaches the last quarter hour with a time of 1:26.689.
The Ferraris take advantage of the track improvement by topping the time sheets at the end of the session. The Italians go under the 1:26 mark, with Charles Leclerc currently leading in 1:25.905.
Leclerc makes a statement. First man under the 1:26 mark 😯#BritishGP 🇬🇧 #F1 pic.twitter.com/0QnEDhaEVH
— Formula 1 (@F1) 13 juillet 2019
Behind the 3 top teams holding the 6 best times, the Renaults seem to be in good shape on the Silverstone track with the 7th and 8th fastest times respectively, before Lando Norris positioned his McLaren ahead of the French cars with a 1:26:689.
End of session and the Ferraris remain in the lead. Charles Leclerc keeps his best time. Pierre Gasly improves his time and passes his teammate on the last lap, encouraging for the Frenchman who must perform.
Ferrari power their way to the top 2 spots in FP3 🚀#BritishGP 🇬🇧 #F1 pic.twitter.com/yohXO9E2nh
— Formula 1 (@F1) 13 juillet 2019
