Mercedes still ahead in EL3 in Barcelona, ​​big crash for Ocon

The W11s continue to display their superiority on the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit with a third double in as many free sessions. Author of the Friday chronometric reference, Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) continues its momentum and sets the best time in EL3 with a mark established in 1’17″222. The six-time world champion is ahead of his teammate Valtteri Bottas of 0''151. 

Max Verstappen once again occupies 3rd place aboard his Red Bull-Honda. The gap between the Mercedes and the Dutchman is smaller than the day before, Verstappen being “only” half a second behind Hamilton. 

Solid 4th place for Carlos Sainz, which has been using a new internal combustion engine, turbocharger, MGU-K, and MGU-H since this Saturday to try to find a solution to the cooling problems which are slowing down its McLaren from Silverstone. 

Back in action this weekend after 2 weeks on the sidelines due to Coronavirus, Sergio Pérez quickly found the rhythm and is in 5th place with his Racing Point. 

The highest ranked Ferrari rises to 6th position in the hands of Charles Leclerc. The Monegasque, whose teammate Sebastian Vettel is only 12th by half a second, ahead ofAlpha Tauri from his friend Pierre Gasly. 

Lance stroll (RacingPoint), Alexander albon (Red Bull) and Daniel Ricciardo (Renault) complete the Top 10 of a session interrupted 2 minutes from the checkered flag due to a violent exit from the track for Esteban Ocon. 

RED FLAG 

The session ends under a red flag after Esteban Ocon hits the wall

He appeared to swerve to avoid going into the back of Kevin Magnussen#SpanishGP  #F1 pic.twitter.com/Y0WyAEe7Cx

— Formula 1 (@F1) August 15

The Renault driver had just let the Haas from Kevin Magnussen, then on a flying lap, but the Dane slowed down on the following short straight and surprised the Frenchman by shifting to the right. 

Ocon, credited with the 11th time in the end, tried to avoid it but found himself square and damaged his Renault R.S.20 in the wall. 

His Renault looks pretty damaged and the French clan's mechanics have less than 2 hours to put it back together before the qualifying session. Suffice it to say that it’s a real race against time that has just started.  

The incident is all the more bad as it took place under the eyes of Luca de Meo, the new big boss of the Renault group.