Max Verstappen can head towards qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix with a good feeling. The Dutchman recorded the best time in the third practice session, beating his rivals at Ferrari and Mercedes.
Verstappen looks fast
Not only did Verstappen impress in FP3, Alpine also seems to be in good shape this weekend. Indeed, Fernando Alonso finished in fourth place, while teammate Esteban Ocon drove the ninth time. At Ferrari, Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc recorded the second and third times, but the gap towards Verstappen is over three-tenths.
Sergio Perez had to make do with the fifth fastest time, but the Mexican ended up in traffic in the final phase of the practice session, preventing him from posting a fast time. Mercedes seem to be further away from the top on a dry track, as George Russell and Lewis Hamilton only crossed the line in sixth and seventh. Lando Norris and Lance Stroll completed the top ten in FP3.