EL3 at Suzuka: Hamilton signs the hat-trick, off-track for Hülkenberg

Lewis Hamilton launches his Saturday at Suzuka as he concluded his Friday: at the top of the timesheet. The capricious weather will not have prevented the leader of the world championship from ahead of his rival Ferrari Sebastian Vettel of 0,116s. 

On a circuit already extremely demanding and made even more tricky by the elements, several drivers suffered a scare, notably Kimi Räikkönen in the Esses of the first sector. 

It is in this same area thatHulkenberg will come and bite beyond the curb and spin off at the very end of the session. The German will finish his race in the tire wall, while the mechanics Renault will now be launched into a race against time given the extent of the damage, particularly to the rear of the R.S.18.

We get Nico's RS18 back, and it's all hands on deck to get it ready for #quali. #RSspirit #JapaneseGP pic.twitter.com/kFR0bTLAbi

— Renault Sport F1 (@RenaultSportF1) 6th October, 2018

In the standings, Räikkonen finished 3rd, more than four tenths behind Hamilton's benchmark. The Finn is ahead of the first Red Bull, that of Max Verstappen, as well as Mercedes of his compatriot Valtteri Bottas. Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull) completes a Top 6 without surprise.

Force India and Esteban Ocon confirm their good performances on the Japanese route. The Norman is again 7th and ahead of his teammate Sergio Pérez. Carlos Sainz brings some comfort to Renault by raising its car in 9th position, ahead of Haas de Kevin Magnussen et Romain Grosjean. 

Charles Leclerc concludes his free program in 12th place, while Pierre Gasly experienced a complicated start to the afternoon aboard his Toro Rosso Honda engine. The Frenchman sets the 20th and final time and complains of not having been able to cover a real clear lap before qualifying. 

Whether it rains or winds, Hamilton seems in any case very difficult to get on a flying lap, unless the weather completely redistributes the cards. And again, we know the skill of the four-time world champion in these delicate conditions.

The qualifying session will begin at 15:00 p.m. local time, or 08:00 a.m. in France. It will be followed live with commentary on CARhebdo.fr. 

FP3 CLASSIFICATION: Hamilton was quickest, but Vettel wasn't far behind #JapaneseGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/kFjNGKjzZ6

- Formula 1 (@ F1) 6th October, 2018