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Rain ruins final practice session - Summary and Results

Rain ruins final practice session - Summary and Results

21-07-2018 11:43

Rain has absolutely ruined the third and final practice session with very few lapped times set in the hour. Qualifying is in doubt as the track looks seriously wet. Neither the Ferrari or Mercedes visited the track for the first 45 minutes while the Red Bull boys put in just one lap each. 

It's Charles Leclerc that finished top of the timesheets in FP3. But it was Nico Hulkenberg that set the first. A 1:36.873 was all that could be mustered from the Renault driver. His team-mate Sainz was pushing hard but spun.

The majority of the action took place at the back of the Mercedes garage. Rumours generated that Lewis Hamilton was ill. Valtteri Bottas went to the garage at the start of the session, but Hamilton was nowhere to be seen. A physio was spotted heading into Hamilton's room. Eventually, with just 10 minutes to go the Brit was spotted.   

Marcus Ericsson was the first driver out on the track as soon as the green light flicked over. The Sauber man was also first back out after the 30min gap on track. The wet tyres were utilised by all drives that ran. 

A flurry of cars came out of the pits right at the end of the session. Leclerc was the first man to beat Hulkenberg's time. But his time at the top lastest just 2 minutes. As soon as Sebastian Vettel made it around the circuit, he beat the time, but only by 0.046. 

Sirotkin then posted a 1:35.334 to beat the Ferrari driver! Williams almost managed to win the session, until Charles Leclerc beat him on the last lap with a 1:34.577.