Bahrain Grand Prix – Free Practice 3: Verstappen strikes hard
Max Verstappen is still going strong. The Dutchman was once again the fastest in FP3, taking seven tenths off Lewis Hamilton! Pierre Gasly completes the top 3.
After two interesting free practice sessions in Bahrain, this third free practice session is the last chance for the drivers to fine-tune their settings before the qualifying session and the race. And like this Friday, **Max Verstappen** also dominated the FP3!
Valtteri Bottas was the first driver to take to the track at the wheel of his Mercedes. The Finn has been complaining about his car since winter testing, finding it too unstable. The problems continue for Bottas, who misses his braking point at the first corner on his first lap. It took 3 timed laps for the 2020 vice champion to set a valid lap.
After only 20 minutes of the session, we could already see a driver spinning. It was Charles Leclerc who lost the rear of his Ferrari at the exit of the third turn. A few minutes later, it was Nikita Mazepin who went off track. The Russian had a tough session, finishing a lowly 19th in his Haas.
The session saw a lot of quick exchanges between the two Mercedes, Max Verstappen, and Pierre Gasly, but it was finally the Dutchman who emerged at the top of the time sheet. More than 7 tenths ahead of Lewis Hamilton who seems to finally be getting used to his new car. Gasly set a very good 3rd time. More difficulties for Vettel and Alonso, still stuck in the middle of the pack before the first qualifying session of the season. Beginning at 4 pm this Saturday afternoon, French time!
| N° | Driver | Team | Times | Gap | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Verstappen | Red Bull Racing | 1:30.577 | ||
| 2 | Hamilton | Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport | 1:31.316 | +0.739 | |
| 3 | Gasly | Scuderia AlphaTauri Honda | 1:31.583 | +1.006 | |
| 4 | Bottas | Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport | 1:31.855 | +1.278 | |
| 5 | Perez | Red Bull Racing | 1:31.908 | +1.331 | |
| 6 | Sainz Jr. | Scuderia Ferrari | 1:32.108 | +1.531 | |
| 7 | Räikkönen | Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN | 1:32.224 | +1.647 | |
| 8 | Ocon | Alpine F1 Team | 1:32.423 | +1.846 | |
| 9 | Stroll | Cognizant Aston Martin Racing | 1:32.431 | +1.854 | |
| 10 | Ricciardo | McLaren F1 Team | 1:32.477 | +1.900 | |
| 11 | Leclerc | Scuderia Ferrari | 1:32.482 | +1.905 | |
| 12 | Giovinazzi | Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN | 1:32.500 | +1.923 | |
| 13 | Tsunoda | Scuderia AlphaTauri Honda | 1:32.709 | +2.132 | |
| 14 | Vettel | Cognizant Aston Martin Racing | 1:32.755 | +2.178 | |
| 15 | Alonso | Alpine F1 Team | 1:32.820 | +2.243 | |
| 16 | Norris | McLaren F1 Team | 1:32.860 | +2.283 | |
| 17 | Russell | Williams Racing | 1:33.323 | +2.746 | |
| 18 | Schumacher | Haas F1 Team | 1:33.422 | +2.845 | |
| 19 | Mazepin | Haas F1 Team | 1:33.622 | +3.045 | |
| 20 | Latifi | Williams Racing | 1:33.959 | +3.382 |
