Verstappen tops FP3 timesheet

Max Verstappen set the fastest lap of this weekend’s third Formula 1 practice session at the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix.

The Red Bull Racing star registered a time of 1min 28.355secs around Bahrain International Circuit’s 5.412-kilometre Grand Prix track. He completed 11 laps over 60 minutes of running.

By topping the timesheet, Verstappen prevented seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton from registering a clean sweep of the meeting’s three F1 practices, having set the pace in yesterday’s pair of 90-minute sessions.

Hamilton was still second-quickest however with a best lap 0.263 seconds off Verstappen’s mark. Valterri Bottas in the other car for world champions Mercedes completed the top three just 0.366s behind.

The rest of the classification from fourth through 20th was as follows: Alexander Albon, Carlos Sainz, Pierre Gasly, Lando Norris, Daniil Kvyat, Lance Stroll, Sergio Perez, Daniel Ricciardo, Esteban Ocon, Sebastian Vettel, Antonio Giovinazzi, Charles Leclerc, George Russell, Romain Grosjean, Kevin Magnussen, Kimi Raikkonen and Nicholas Latifi.

Following the completion of the weekend’s three F1 practice sessions, qualifying is up next, scheduled for a 5pm start this evening. It will be a tight battle for pole position to start tomorrow’s Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix.