Australian Oscar Piastri set the best time in the 3rd free practice session of the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, 7th round of the Formula 1 World Championship, Saturday in Imola.
On the Italian Enzo and Dino Ferrari track, the McLaren driver beat his British teammate Lando Norris, 2nd, and the Spaniard Carlos Sainz (Ferrari), 3rd, at the end of a final truncated session after leaving the track late by Sergio Pérez – without physical consequences for the pilot.
This accident which occurred five minutes from the end required the interruption of testing. Several drivers were unable to improve their times when they resumed.
At the wheel of the other Ferrari on the grid, Charles Leclerc finished 4th at the end of this final session before qualifying scheduled for 4:00 p.m. The day before, the Monegasque had dominated the first two sessions.
Reigning Dutch three-time world champion Max Verstappen is only 6th on the timesheet, being one of those unable to post a final fast lap.
On Friday, the championship leader suffered from a lack of grip sending him into the gravel several times and finished the day in an anonymous 7th place.
Earlier on Saturday, double world champion (2005, 2006) Fernando Alonso caused the first red flag of the day. Victim of leaving the track at the wheel of his Aston Martin, the Spaniard – unhurt – had to prematurely end his tests 3.
Time to evacuate his car, the session was able to resume without incident a few minutes later, with just under 30 minutes remaining.
. 3rd free practice session:
Oscar Piastri (AUS/McLaren-Mercedes) 1:15.529
Lando Norris (GBR/McLaren-Mercedes) 1:15.829
Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP/Ferrari) 1:16.067
Charles Leclerc (MON/Ferrari) 1:16.087
George Russell (GBR/Mercedes) 1:16.095
Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull) 1:16.366
Alexander Albon (THA/Williams-Mercedes) 1:16.470
Esteban Ocon (FRA/Alpine-Renault) 1:16.481
Lance Stroll (CAN/Aston Martin-Mercedes) 1:16.543
Nico Hülkenberg (GER/Haas-Ferrari) 1:16.547
Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Racing Bulls-Red Bull) 1:16.560
Sergio Pérez (MEX/Red Bull) 1:16.631
Yuki Tsunoda (JPN/Racing Bulls-Red Bull) 1:16.668
Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Sauber-Ferrari) 1:16.695
Logan Sargeant (USA/Williams-Mercedes) 1:16.794
Kevin Magnussen (DEN/Haas-Ferrari) 1:16.923
Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) 1:16.960
Fernando Alonso (ESP/Aston Martin-Mercedes) 1:17.339
Pierre Gasly (FRA/Alpine-Renault) 1:17.361
Zhou Guanyu (CHN/Sauber-Ferrari) 1:17.891