2024 F1 Bahrain GP results: Carlos Sainz tops FP3 timesheets in Sakhir with late flyer. Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz takes over at the top of the timesheet in FP3 the 2024 F1 Bahrain GP.

Scuderia Ferrari concludes Free Practice 3 for the 2024 Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix in the lead, with Carlos Sainz securing the top position. Here is a summary of the final Free Practice session, as the Spaniard outpaces everyone and takes the lead, while his Maranello teammate Charles Leclerc is hampered by visibility issues in the first sector of the Sakhir circuit.

A slow start
No one on the track in the initial minutes of the session. After all, both qualifying and the race will take place at night, with lower temperatures and different track conditions. In this case, practice programs might focus on qualifying simulations. The first to taste the track is also one of the favorites for pole position: Lewis Hamilton in the new Mercedes W15.

Using soft tires, the Englishman sets a 1:32.733, a still high time. He doesn’t attempt a new lap, returning to the pits. Shaking up the apparent calm of Sakhir are the two Ferraris, both on track with soft tires, followed by the Stake F1 cars and Alexander Albon. Nevertheless, Leclerc and Sainz post relatively high times, with the Monegasque leading in 1:32.677.

To illustrate the still mild pace, Kevin Magnussen flies to the top in 1:32.440. Some trouble shifting gears for Sergio Perez, who complains to his team via radio. Lance Stroll, in Aston Martin, raises the bar: 1:32.327 for the Canadian. The feeling is that teams are waiting for cooler moments in the session.

Getting serious
George Russell is the first to break the 32-second barrier: 1:31.821 for the Mercedes driver. Different work for the two Red Bulls, running on track with white tires. Meanwhile, Fernando Alonso soars to the top with a time of 1:31.582. In a race-pace simulation, Lewis Hamilton, on used soft tires, continues. While Sergio Perez continues to complain about gearbox issues: warning signs for Red Bull.

Lewis Hamilton continues his race-pace simulation, clocking in at 1:37.6. The Englishman is involved in a front-locking incident that takes him very long into Turn 10. A moment of calm on the fast lap front: drivers on track engage in runs on used tires, waiting for the final minutes of the session, which will once again focus on qualifying simulations.

Carlos Sainz takes the lead
Adjustments to the setup at Ferrari, with changes made to both cars: Charles Leclerc has made changes to both the front and rear, while Carlos Sainz has worked on the front wing. The two Prancing Horse drivers then hit the track on used tires to assess the effectiveness of the changes made.

Sergio Perez comes to life, on track with new soft tires: 1:31.248. All drivers on soft compounds now begin to lower their lap times. Max Verstappen rises to the occasion, setting a time of 1:31.062. Now it’s serious: Fernando Alonso breaks another barrier and goes to 1:30.965. Ten minutes before the end, the two Ferraris are yet to make an appearance.

Carlos Sainz is the first of the Ferrari drivers on track, also with new soft tires, while another change to the rear setup for Charles Leclerc. A very good – and auspicious for Ferrari – time for Nico Hulkenberg, who climbs to seventh position. Carlos Sainz flies: 1.30.824 for the Spaniard! The #16 Monegasque is also ready to launch.

Fourth position for Charles Leclerc, who loses a lot in the first sector but then is faster than his teammate in the second and third. No one improves further; Ferrari closes Free Practice 3 in the lead.