F1 | Belgian GP, free practice 3: rain protagonist, Verstappen the fastest [RESULTS]
Red flag for most of the session, the Dutchman stands out with intermediates. The results
F1 GP Belgium – On a morning characterized by heavy rain, which fell heavily for all 60 minutes of work, Max Verstappen managed to take the lead in the third free practice session valid for the Belgian Grand Prix, the 13th round of the 2024 Formula 1 world championship .
In a climate that was more winter than summer, due to the low temperatures typical of the place, the Dutchman with intermediate tires stopped his best lap in 2'01”565, about a second and a half faster than Oscar Piastri's McLaren. Obviously relative results, given that the reigning World Champion set his time at the start of the session, with less water present on the track, while the McLaren standard bearer achieved his fastest time in more complex track conditions (l The asphalt tended more towards full-wet than intermediate).
It should be highlighted that Verstappen, as happened yesterday morning, chose to race with the more loaded set-up brought here in Belgium by Red Bull, an aspect that could help him optimize the car's potential in the event of a wet qualifying. Third place for Pierre Gasly, followed by Lando Norris, Esteban Ocon, Charles Leclerc and Lance Stroll.
The Canadian, after about twenty minutes of activity, ran into a spin while exiting Eau Rouge which led him to hit the barriers violently. Subsequently, damage to the front suspension did not allow him to complete the remaining part of the session, effectively losing precious km in view of this afternoon's qualifying. Which, we remember, could take place in the same conditions as free practice 3.
Finally, completing the top ten of the morning, Valtteri Bottas, Lewis Hamilton and Sergio Perez. Few laps for Carlos Sainz who preferred not to take too many risks and save some sets of full-wet and intermediate compounds for the rest of this weekend. The weather for the race, to date, is forecast to be cloudy and dry, but conditions at Spa – as per tradition – can change quickly.
It is therefore important to leave all options open on a strategic level. Meet at 17.00pm this afternoon for the qualifying session which will establish the starting order of this world round on the Spa-Francorchamps track.
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