F1 GP Brazil, Free Practice 3: Vettel followed by the two Mercedes

Vettel and Hamilton have already given us a taste of what we will see in less than a couple of hours in Qualifying in these FP3, with the German setting the best lap and setting a new track record, 1:07.948, ahead of his champion rival of the 2018 world championship. At Interlagos the fight heats up between the two standard bearers of Ferrari and Mercedes, still fighting for the Constructors' title. Completing the top ten were Bottas, Raikkonen, Verstappen, Ricciardo, Magnussen, Grosjean, Gasly and Leclerc.

News – The clouds can't be avoided even on Saturday on the track at Interlagos, but the rain will stay away during the third Free Practice session, which starts with Leclerc's Sauber. A few minutes later, Raikkonen is the first of the big names to launch and stop the clock: with the red tire he sets a 1:09.424, then followed by Sirotkin's Williams. After about fifteen minutes Vettel takes the lead, in 1:08.857. However, both Mercedes and the two Red Bulls were latecomers. Hamilton leaves the pits about twenty minutes after the start, but returns after just one lap: the rear of the W09 is in smoke! Once the necessary checks have been carried out, the Briton returns to racing. Apparently it was an improperly positioned vent in the engine, which caused oil to leak onto the exhaust pipes.

At mid-session Ferrari is still in the lead: Vettel is followed by Bottas, Raikkonen, Leclerc, Grosjean, Magnussen - the two Haas drivers alone on the softs - Gasly, Sirotkin, Ericsson and Hulkenberg. The two Red Bulls recently left the pits and then occupied fourth and fifth place, where Ricciardo precedes Verstappen.

With the red tire Vettel continues undisturbed on the track - no foreign bodies in the German's cockpit today - and with his SF71-H he sets the new track record, 1:07.948! Hamilton arrived behind him, 2 tenths behind. Then Bottas Raikkonen Ricciardo Grosjean Verstappen Leclerc Magnussen and Gasly. Some adjustments in the top ten, and then the last minutes of the session dedicated to the usual starting tests and short long runs, before the checkered flag gives Vettel and Hamilton a pass for pole this evening. Will the German be able to outwit the Mercedes on the starting grid too?

F1 GP Brazil – Times, results and laps Free Practice 3