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FP3 REPORT: Max Verstappen quickest in FP3 at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix

FP3 REPORT: Max Verstappen quickest in FP3 at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix

17-04-2021 11:12
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Cameron Smith

Max Verstappen overcame his troubles from FP2 to go quickest in FP3 at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. Lando Norris impressed for McLaren and both Ferrari's once again looked quick. Valtteri Bottas was unable to repeat his form from Friday.

Verstappen quickest

Max Verstappen ended the session in P1, 0.456 seconds ahead of Lando Norris in P2 and 0.557 seconds ahead of Lewis Hamilton in P3.

The Dutchman looks imperious and appears to be the favoruite heading into Sunday's race; if FP3 is anything to go by, then Mercedes have a lot of catching up to do.

The drive shaft issue that he suffered yesterday hampered his preperation, but it seems to have made no impact on Verstappen who displayed his class in FP3, and it could well be his race to lose this weekend.

Can he rid his Italy curse? He'll be hoping so.

Ferrari quick once more

The Prancing Horses have looked rapid all weekend and both Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc topped the timesheet at one stage; they'll be desperate to remain near the top when qualifying begins this afternoon.

Sainz ended the session in P7 with Leclerc in P5. There was a 0.17 second gap between the two drivers.

Bottas down in P8

After topping both FP1 and FP2 on Friday, Valtteri Bottas slipped down the order to P8 in FP3, with the Finn beaten by his teammate Lewis Hamilton by 0.393 seconds. Hamilton was also beaten by Norris in the session, something the team will be hoping to avoid in this afternoon's qualifying.

Norris impressive

After saying that McLaren could struggle this weekend, Norris set a flying lap of 1:15.414 to put his car into P2 in the session; he looked smooth when driving, and it could well be an indication of what's to come from him this season.

Alfa Romeo struggle

The Ferrari engine has looked very good so far this weekend, but Alfa Romeo were unable to hook up some impressive flying laps, with Antonio Giovinazzi finishing in P18 with his time of 1:16.612, and Kimi Raikkonen in P19 with a time of 1:16.803.