Bahrain EL3: Ferrari takes control

Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Räikkönen finished first in the final practice session for the Bahrain Grand Prix. The four-time world champion set the best time of the morning with a time of 1'31"683, four hundredths ahead of his teammate Kimi Räikkönen, six tenths more than the reference made the day before by Nico Rosberg (Mercedes).

The SF16-Hs took advantage of the heat on the Sakhir circuit to beat the Mercedes W07 Hybrid of Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton. Valtteri Bottas (Williams) is the only other driver to be less than a second behind the first Ferrari.

Romain Grosjean (Haas) achieved a promising sixth time ahead of Daniil Kvyat (Red Bull) and Esteban Gutiérrez (Haas). Felipe Massa (Williams) and Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull) complete the top ten.

Marcus Ericsson (Sauber) ranks 11th ahead Kevin Magnussen (Renault) condemned to start from the pits for the race. The Dane finished ahead of McLaren by Jenson Button and Stoffel Vandoorne. The Belgian was only able to complete eleven laps after being stuck in the pits following a mechanical problem.

The Toro Rosso de Max Verstappen et Carlos Sainz Jr are 15th and 16th after achieving their best times on soft tires, like the Force India of Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Pérez who rank behind the Sauber of Felipe Nasr in 17th position. Jolyon Palmer (Renault) is 20th after only completing nine laps (like his teammate). Rio Haryanto and Pascal Wehrlein (Manor) complete the list.

Qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix will be followed live from 17 p.m. on Canal+ Sport and with our live text on AUTOhebdo.fr.