GP Great Britain – Free Practice 3: Vettel strikes back!
For the first time since the start of the British Grand Prix, the drivers were able to race on an almost dry track. In these conditions, made tense by the regulatory changes currently shaking up the paddock, Sebastian Vettel leads the way ahead of Fernando Alonso. Red Bull and Ferrari seem closer than ever.
Many drivers hit the track as soon as the light turns green to complete an installation lap. The first to set a time is Michael Schumacher. After 15 minutes, rain timidly reappears on the Silverstone circuit, which doesn’t prevent the drivers from staying on track with slick tires. There are few incidents to report in the first half of the session. After the first 30 minutes, it’s Nico Rosberg who tops the timesheets.
With 20 minutes remaining in the session, Mark Webber finds himself on foot due to an engine leak. This is bad news for the Australian as he loses valuable dry track time. The mechanics of the Austrian team work hard on Webber’s car to allow him to get back on track before the end of the session. It happens with five minutes to go before the checkered flag.
During this practice session, there is also action in the paddock with Horner and Newey exiting the FIA motorhome. The two men are accompanied by Rémy Taffin, Renault’s engine chief. The news does not seem good for the world champion team.
As often happens, at the end of the session the drivers put on the soft tires which brings down the lap times. At the end of these tests, it’s Sebastian Vettel who records the best lap time, as if to show that no matter the regulations, the RB7 remains the best car on the grid. The world champion is ahead of Fernando Alonso and Mark Webber.
Results of Free Practice 3 – 2011 British Grand Prix:
| N° | Driver | Team | Times | Gap | Laps |
1 | Vettel | Red Bull | 1:31.401 | 17 | |
2 | Alonso | Ferrari | 1:31.464 | +0.063 | 20 |
3 | Webber | Red Bull | 1:31.829 | +0.428 | 12 |
4 | Massa | Ferrari | 1:32.169 | +0.768 | 20 |
5 | Maldonado | Williams | 1:32.496 | +1.095 | 20 |
6 | Button | McLaren | 1:32.956 | +1.555 | 18 |
7 | Kobayashi | BMW-Sauber | 1:33.014 | +1.613 | 20 |
8 | Rosberg | Mercedes GP | 1:33.044 | +1.643 | 23 |
9 | Perez | BMW-Sauber | 1:33.264 | +1.863 | 21 |
10 | di Resta | Force India | 1:33.423 | +2.022 | 22 |
11 | Schumacher | Mercedes GP | 1:33.551 | +2.150 | 11 |
12 | Sutil | Force India | 1:33.660 | +2.259 | 22 |
13 | Hamilton | McLaren | 1:33.842 | +2.441 | 16 |
14 | Barrichello | Williams | 1:33.905 | +2.504 | 21 |
15 | Petrov | Lotus Renault GP | 1:34.042 | +2.641 | 22 |
16 | Alguersuari | Toro Rosso | 1:34.329 | +2.928 | 20 |
17 | Buemi | Toro Rosso | 1:34.799 | +3.398 | 20 |
18 | Heidfeld | Lotus Renault GP | 1:34.822 | +3.421 | 21 |
19 | Kovalainen | Lotus | 1:35.225 | +3.824 | 21 |
20 | Trulli | Lotus | 1:36.905 | +5.504 | 21 |
21 | Glock | Virgin | 1:37.614 | +6.213 | 18 |
22 | D’Ambrosio | Virgin | 1:38.068 | +6.667 | 20 |
23 | Ricciardo | HRT | 1:38.289 | +6.888 | 19 |
24 | Liuzzi | HRT | 1:38.568 | +7.167 | 17 |
