F1 | Bahrain GP, ​​free practice results 3: Sainz reserves himself for pole position

F1 GP Bahrain free practice 3 – Best time for Carlos Sainz in the third and final free practice session valid for the Bahrain Grand Prix, the inaugural event of the 2024 Formula 1 world championship. The Spaniard from Ferrari, fast and competitive already yesterday aboard the SF-24, stopped the clock on 1'30"824, placing himself in a situation of particular advantage as regards the pole position that will be assigned this afternoon.

The Iberian promoted the behavior of the car, despite the different conditions compared to yesterday's FP2, drawing several positive indications regarding the balance and behavior in the various configurations of use. A certainly encouraging situation that the team, together with the Iberian, will try to confirm later this weekend, when we start to get really serious.

Free Bahrain, uncertain balance at the top

In second position, about a tenth and a half away, was Fernando Alonso, fast and "perky" with an Aston Martin ready to play its cards for the top positions in the standings, followed by Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris . The Dutchman, still not totally satisfied with the balance, struggled to put together a "top" lap, effectively reiterating the "micro" difficulties that emerged in yesterday's free practice. The Ferrari standard bearer, however, made a couple of blunders, especially in the first sector, which made him lose precious time in the comparison with his teammate. The task this afternoon, therefore, will be to put together a fast, clean lap without imperfections of any kind.

Meet at 17pm for the first qualifications of the season

Sixth was George Russell with the first Mercedes, followed closely by Oscar Piastri, Sergio Perez and Nico Hullkenberg, who did well to confirm himself in the top ten after yesterday's FP2. Closing the ranking of the top ten is Lance Stroll, still not totally in symbiosis with his AMR24. Lewis Hamilton is back, even if the Englishman carried out his time-attack a few minutes ahead of his main competitors. See you at 17.00pm this afternoon, live on Sky Sport F1 HD and NowTV, for the first qualifying session of the season.