Free Practice 3 – Kubica takes the lead, ahead of Rosberg and Bourdais

During the third free practice session, it was the Polish driver Robert Kubica who set the fastest time in the very last seconds. The ranking has very little significance in view of the pre-established hierarchy since the start of the season. Thus, Rosberg (Williams) and Bourdais (Toro Rosso) take the second and third fastest times. The Ferraris, McLarens, and Renaults are much further behind.

Toro Rosso has long had its drivers at the top of the standings. Vettel made a strong impression once again, but it is ultimately Bourdais who achieved the best time of the two Toro Rosso drivers by taking the third overall time. Sebastian Vettel is 6th.

He is behind Nico Rosberg in the Williams FW30. The German driver set this time at the end of the session and shows that Williams can aim to score points tomorrow. Especially since his teammate, Kazuki Nakajima, is 4th.

Robert Kubica is the leader of this practice session and is the first driver to break the 1’39” per lap barrier. Heidfeld is eighth, more than half a second behind.

The leading teams did not appear threatening this morning. Massa for Ferrari is 6th while Räikkönen is only 15th. The team is making many adjustments to be at their best for qualifying this afternoon.

McLaren is in the same situation: Hamilton is 7th, Kovalainen is 14th. The British vice world champion has also made some minor errors at turn number 4. We can also credit him with two spin-outs on his 4th and 5th laps.

David Coulthard is 9th with the Red Bull and is ahead of Piquet to complete the top 10. The French team applied the same strategy as at the Hungarian Grand Prix three weeks ago by running slowly for about ten laps. Testing the tires and the engine in this case. Fernando Alonso is 13th.

Force India still seems to be behind its rivals, although Barrichello is behind both Indian cars. The same goes for Jarno Trulli: the Toyota driver could not complete a single timed lap due to a mechanical problem. Bad omens for the qualifying session.

Another unknown: the weather. The weather was fine this morning in Valencia, but it rained last night. The track has therefore been washed. Tomorrow, the same scenario could occur again, undermining the adjustments made by the drivers.

Results of Free Practice 3 – European GP – August 23, 2008: