Dutchman Max Verstappen (Red Bull) set the fastest time in the third free practice session of the Canadian Grand Prix, eighth round of the Formula 1 World Championship, on Saturday at the Gilles-Villeneuve circuit (4.361 km) in Montreal .
On a wet circuit, the reigning double world champion once again exploited the superiority of his single-seater to be the fastest during a session marked by numerous off-track excursions, like that of Carlos Sainz, who damaged the front of his Ferrari when he lost control of his car at the end of the straight.
This accident for the Spaniard caused a new red flag, the fourth in two days, but the session was quickly able to resume and his Monegasque teammate Charles Leclerc took the opportunity to set the second fastest time, less than 3 tenths behind Verstappen.
The Spaniard Fernando Alonso cheered the hearts of thousands of Aston Martin fans who braved the rain by setting the third fastest time, but more than a second behind the Red Bull, far ahead of his Canadian teammate who plays at home, Lance Stroll (7th).
The Dane Kevin Magnussen created the surprise by seizing the fourth time, ahead of Sainz, who will have rolled half as much as his competitors, and the Frenchman Pierre Gasly (Alpine).
The Japanese Yuki Tsunoda took eighth place despite two outings including a spin during which he brushed the wall, while the Finn Valtteri Bottas (Alfa Romeo) and the Briton Lewis Hamilton complete the Top 10.
The Mercedes appeared much less comfortable on a wet track than the day before when the two Silver Arrows of the seven-time world champion and his compatriot George Russell, only 15th on Saturday, had dominated the second free practice session.
At the wheel of the second Red Bull, the Mexican Sergio Pérez disappointed again by only setting the 17th time, while the Frenchman Esteban Ocon, victim of a loss of water pressure on Friday, rode very little on Saturday and finished 19th and penultimate.
Qualifying, which should take place on a track that is still wet, will take place from 10:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. (Paris time, GMT 2).