Ferrari FP3 report: Charles Leclerc P1, Carlos Sainz P4 | 2022 F1 Dutch GP. Ferrari FP3 report.

Ahead of the final free practice session, there was a lot of excitement to find out who could steal a march on their rivals ahead of qualifying. Final practice was therefore under way, and we saw the Red Bull of Sergio Perez head straight out on track.

The Mexican set a 1:13.792 on the board to put himself at the top of the timesheet, as Red Bull appeared to have done some very good work overnight after all: Max Verstappen come out and immediately put in a 1:12.309, which was a full 0.6s quicker than George Russell, who was nearest to him.

Ferrari junior Mick Schumacher went third for Haas, which was quite some opener from the German. Despite some complaints over the radio, Max Verstappen was able to do a 1:12.196 to further extend his advantage at the top of the timesheet. Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz was up to second, but more than 0.7s back from the Dutchman, while Charles Leclerc improved to take second but remained more than half a second back from Verstappen. Lewis Hamilton was a tenth further back in third, with George Russell failing to improve with his latest effort and stayed fifth. Also going well as Lance Stroll, who was sixth at this stage for Aston Martin.

While Max Verstappen was flying, Sergio Perez appeared to be struggling once more, and was 1.3s back from his team-mate down in ninth.

Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto gave his reaction to Max Verstappen’s impressive pace in FP3: “He was very fast, very quick. I think he’s in fantastic shape at the moment,” Binotto said – “Not a surprise, but still disappointing.

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But maybe Max Verstappen will not have things all his own way after all, as Spanish driver Carlos Sainz went to the top of the timesheet with a 1:11.971. Charles Leclerc went back on track after lengthy spell in the garage: Ted Kravitz reported Ferrari undertook a front suspension change on his F1-75 car, which explains the delay. Also changing front suspension was Lando Norris, who was still in the McLaren garage – along with team-mate Daniel Ricciardo. They were running only 14th and 19th at this stage.

The Monegasque driver then went fastest in the other Ferrari car: Charles Leclerc put in a 1:11.632 to better his team-mate’s effort by more than 0.3s, while George Russell then flew into second, less than a tenth off Charles.

Not quite so competitive for Lewis Hamilton, though – he was slower than Charles Leclerc and George Russell in all three sectors and finished 0.524s off the pace. We also saw Max Verstappen’s attempt to respond to those improved times from his rivals, and he was unable to match them: the Dutchman could only go third fastest, a little more than 0.2s off Charles Leclerc’s leading effort.

It looks as though that thrilling qualifying we were hoping for is in store after all! In the battle for ‘best of the rest’, Fernando Alonso was leading the way in seventh ahead of Sebastian Vettel and Mick Schumacher. Lando Norris was 10th for McLaren, slightly disappointing for them as they looked right in the fight at the front yesterday.

Charles Leclerc therefore set the pace in the final F1 practice session ahead of qualifying for the Dutch Grand Prix. The Ferrari driver’s best attempt was just 0.066 faster than George Russell, while home favourite Max Verstappen was third quickest. Charles was strongest in the middle sector, while Russell set the fastest final sector of the session. Carlos Sainz finished in P4.

RESULT FREE PRACTICE 3 – DUTCH