REPORT: Leclerc and Vettel top FP3 in Russia

11:58, 28 Sep 2019
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Charles Leclerc set a blistering pace in FP3 as he topped the session ahead of teammate Sebastian Vettel, with Mercedes having no answers to Ferrari's pace.
Ferrari have taken the last three pole positions, with Leclerc on pole at every race since the summer break. Leclerc won the races in Belgium and Italy before Vettel took first place last week in Singapore.
Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas were often over a second behind Leclerc, but recovered to finish within half a second of the Monegasque.
Max Verstappen was over a second behind and suffered a spin towards the end of the session, lightly brushing the wall, although there should be no damage to the car.
However, Toro Rosso driver Daniil Kvyat was not so lucky, as a power unit issue forced him to stop out on track, and to the disappointment of the home crowd, he won't participate in qualifying.
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It was a good session for Haas in a tight midfield, who had Romain Grosjean in sixth and Kevin Magnussen down in tenth.
Alex Albon was seventh, followed by Nico Hulkenberg and Lando Norris also claiming positions in the top ten.
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Japanese Grand Prix
Overview
Upcoming race
Friday 27.03.26
Practice 1
Fri 02:30 AM
Practice 2
Fri 06:00 AM
Saturday 28.03.26
Practice 3
Sat 02:30 AM
Qualification
Sat 06:00 AM
Sunday 29.03.26
Race
Sun 05:00 AM

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