REPORT: Max Verstappen fastest in tight FP3 session at the Dutch Grand Prix
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- Toby McLuskie
It was a battle throughout the final practise session of the Dutch Grand Prix, but it was Max Verstappen who finished on top. The Dutchman's lap time of 1:09.623 was the fastest of the session, 0.556 seconds ahead of Valtteri Bottas in second and 0.794 seconds ahead of Lewis Hamilton in third. However, there was once again another red flag in practice, as Carlos Sainz crashed into the barrier at turn three. Luckily the Spaniard was okay but has given his mechanics a large task ahead of qualifying later on today.
Red Bull and Mercedes strong
Red Bull timed Verstappen's fastest lap to perfection, with his teammate Sergio Perez setting the Dutchman up with a perfect tow to finish the lap. However, the Mexican was still nowhere near his teammate and rivals, in regards to a consistent competitive time. Perez finished the session 0.903 seconds off Verstappen and 0.113 seconds off Hamilton. However, throughout the session Verstappen, Bottas and Hamilton all had their chance at the top of the timings charts and were battling for the whole hour to try and claim the top spot by the end of the session.
Midfield battle throughout whole session, Williams in and around
Lots of teams and drivers from the midfield found themselves in and around the top five throughout the whole of the final practice session. However, it was Fernando Alonso who was the best of the rest, ahead of Lando Norris in P6. Both the Spaniard and the Brit were on top of the timings charts in the session before Red Bull and Mercedes spoiled the party. It was the Aston Martin duo of Lance Stroll and Sebastian Vettel in P7 and P8 respectively, with Charles Leclerc and Pierre Gasly claiming the final two spots in the top 10. Ferrari looked strong, however, but Sainz's crash and Leclerc's aborted lap towards the end of the session stopped the Scuderia from having any chance of a top finish in FP3. Daniel Ricciardo missed out on the top 10 once again but was only 0.008 seconds off Gasly. Williams' duo of Nicholas Latifi and George Russell finished 12th and 14th respectively.
Haas and Alfa Romeo struggle
It was a similar session for both Haas and Alfa Romeo, as both teams found themselves at the bottom of the timings charts and struggling to find any competitive time. Antonio Giovinazzi was the highest finisher in P15, Nikita Mazepin in P18, Robert Kubica in P19 and Mick Schumacher in P20.