Bahrain – EL3: Verstappen remains ahead of Leclerc, Mercedes still discreet

The third and final free practice session for the 2022 Bahrain Grand Prix did not upset the first outline of the hierarchy among the teams of Formula 1. This Saturday March 19 between noon and two French time, Red Bull et Ferrari showed themselves to be the most comfortable, confirming an initial inventory carried out the day before.

With a lap of 1’32”544 achieved on soft tires (red sidewalls), Max Verstappen was the fastest. The bearer of number 1 is ahead Charles Leclerc of only 96 thousandths. The Monegasque, however, explained on the radio: “I think we’re wasting too much time in the last sector.”

ALSO READ > Verstappen jokes about Mercedes: “I think they will be last”

Sergio Pérez (Red Bull) completes the virtual podium (+0”247). According to the second training session, this is not Lewis Hamilton but his new teammate George Russell who leads the rebellion of Mercedes (4th). The gap is, however, reduced to 391 thousandths, compared to 593 thousandths on Friday evening.

We cannot say if the seven-time world champion continues to bluff, but Lewis Hamilton is still more than half a second behind Max Verstappen (+0”577). The Briton is ahead of the surprising comeback Kevin Magnussen, seventh in its Haas almost nine tenths. THE Alfa Romeo and l'Aston Martin de Lance stroll complete the top 10.

Very discreet, the Alpine all dressed in pink only occupy the 16th (Fernando Alonso) and 18th (Esteban Ocon) rank, more than two seconds behind the #1 Red Bull. Slowed down by a problem with a flat bottom, Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren) is 15th but was still able to record some times, unlike Yuki tsunoda (Alpha Tauri), stuck in the pits due to a power steering problem.

ALSO READ > For Ricciardo, “Red Bull and Ferrari are the favorites for Bahrain”

Free Practice 3 Ranking: