EL3 – Max Verstappen impresses before qualifying

It's without Kimi Räikkönen, tested positive for Covid-19 and forfeited for the rest of this weekend in Zandvoort, as the third Free Practice session for the Dutch Grand Prix began. His replacement in the seat Alfa Romeo, Robert Kubica, was the first to take to the track in order to accumulate as many kilometers as possible before the qualifying session this Saturday afternoon. The Pole set a first time in 1:15.854. A time quickly beaten, notably by Lewis Hamilton in 1:12.010. The British, whose second test session was disrupted by an engine problem, found its first power unit of the season.

On medium tires, Fernando Alonso confirmed the good form ofAlpine by setting the new best time, in 1:11.996. The Spaniard further improved his mark (1:11.705) to move ahead Charles Leclerc. The session was then interrupted 40 minutes from the end following a big off-track accident. Carlos Sainz at the bank of turn number 3 for a third red flag in as many sessions. The pilot emerged unscathed from a car very damaged. The session resumed with 28 minutes remaining, which finally allowed Max Verstappen de signed a fast lap, in 1:11.225. The Dutchman was immediately beaten by Valtteri Bottas, in 1:11.217. A lap completed on soft tires for the Finn, while the driver Red Bull had fitted medium tyres. Still in mediums, Verstappen set an impressive 1:10.702 with records in all three sectors.

This time was beaten again, again by Alonso, with a 1:10.670. The times panicked ten minutes from the checkered flag, and Verstappen was the first under 1:10 with a 1:09.623. The only one to achieve this performance at the end of this session, the podium of which was completed by Valtteri Bottas at 0.556 and Lewis Hamilton at 0.794. Sergio Pérez (1:10.526), ​​Fernando Alonso (1:10.670), Lando Norris (1: 10.781), Lance stroll (1: 10.842), Sebastian Vettel (1:10.872), Charles Leclerc (1:10.896) and Pierre Gasly (1:11.005) finished in the top 10.

The classification of the third Free Practice session of the Dutch GP (© @F1)