F1 | Bahrain GP, ​​free practice 3: Alonso-Verstappen brawl, Ferrari chasing

Fernando Alonso confirmed himself as the fastest driver in the third and final free practice session valid for Bahrain Grand Prix, the inaugural event of the 2023 Formula 1 World Championship.

After the best time yesterday afternoon, which however arrived in totally different track conditions (FP3 took place in the sun and therefore much higher temperatures), the Spaniard reiterated the excellent state of form of the AMR23, stopping his “best” in 1'32″340, a few thousandths – five to be exact – faster than Max Verstappen's Red Bull. A performance of absolute depth, arriving at the second "attempt" at a timed attack, which places the two-time World Champion among the favorites for the pole position that will be assigned this afternoon.

It should be noted that the Dutchman, together with his teammate, Sergio Perez (3rd), made the first assault on the time trial with hard tyres, thus safeguarding a set of soft compounds. An interesting choice that could lead the Anglo-Austrian team to follow a different strategy for this afternoon's qualifying and therefore for tomorrow's race (single stop versus their opponents' two). Fourth position for Lewis Hamilton, two tenths away from the best time set by the Iberian from Aston Martin, followed by Charles Leclerc - however quiet in the radio teams despite being three tenths behind Alonso - and the other Mercedes of George Russell.

Lance Stroll, seventh and still struggling physically, placed seventh ahead of Carlos Sainz, while Oscar Piastri (surprise of the morning) and Pierre Gasly occupied the final places inside the top ten. We remind you that this afternoon's session will take place in night-time conditions and therefore with lower temperatures than this morning. A situation that could shuffle the cards again, especially in the top areas of the ranking, given the "narrow" gaps between the leaders. See you at 16.00pm on Sky Sport F1 HD and NowTV for the live coverage of the first qualifying session of the season.

FP3 CLASSIFICATION

Just 0.005s separate Alonso and Verstappen ⏱

Don't miss qualifying! #BahrainGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/6Bxpd4p5so

- Formula 1 (@ F1) March 4, 2023