Max Verstappen set the fastest lap of FP3 to set up an intriguing qualifying session on Saturday at the Sakhir Grand Prix. The Dutchman recovered from a spin early in the session to move into P1 ahead of Valtteri Bottas and Pierre Gasly.
Friday’s pace-setter George Russell was down in seventh in his first weekend as a Mercedes driver, but he’ll still be feeling confident ahead of qualifying.
It was a quiet opening to the first session of the day, with Romain Grosjean’s replacement at Haas, Pietro Fittipaldi, having the track to himself for the first ten minutes.
Midway through the session Verstappen spun on exit of Turn 2, but he came to rest well away from the gravel and the wall and was able to easily continue.
Shortly after, Russell showed Friday wasn’t a fluke by taking P1, but teammate Bottas swiftly returned to the top of the timesheets.
Sebastian Vettel has had a season to forget but he set a very strong lap to split the Mercedes and take P2, but Russell improved just minutes later to retake second.
However, the Mercedes duo would be split once again as Lando Norris and Alex Albon went second and third in quick succession, before Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon took their places.
Verstappen recovered from his spin and returned to the track with just over ten minutes to go and he set the fastest lap of the session, narrowly ahead of Bottas.
As the chequered flag was waved, Charles Leclerc had a spin at the final corner, but no damage was done.
Gasly finished the session third ahead of Ocon, Norris, Albon and Russell. Perez was eighth ahead of Stroll and Sainz.