Australian Grand Prix – Free Practice 3: Ferrari still ahead of Red Bull

With a time of 1:16.714, Charles Leclerc has just set the fastest time of the circuit, 2 tenths faster than the record previously held by Max Verstappen. The Red Bull driver indeed sets the second time of these tests with only a 20th of a second difference. The second Ferrari, driven by Carlos Sainz, sets the third time. Therefore, the qualifications are heading towards a duel between the bull and the horse.

The Spanish pilot, operated on for appendicitis 14 days ago, did not participate in the entire Free Practice 3 session in order not to strain himself too much after his surgery and to save himself for the qualifying rounds. He still managed to complete 20 laps to complete his program.

Among the two best teams, the last driver is Sergio Perez, on Red Bull, only 7th before the qualifications. The Mexican driver is only three tenths off the P1 lap time, but the gaps are tight here in Melbourne on a track that is over 5.3 km long. In fact, the 19 drivers are within 1.7 seconds and the top 12 are within 1 second before the qualifications. As a reminder, the 107% rule in F1 still exists, so you would need to be within 5.5 seconds to be allowed to race. A gap per lap that now seems unlikely in F1.

The two Mercedes are well placed. Hamilton is ahead of Russell in P4 and P5. They are ahead of Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin, equipped with the same Mercedes engine.

McLaren’s two drivers and Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin complete the top 10, with 5 teams in the top 10 positions.

Outside the top 10, the gap seems very close between the Racing Bulls, the Saubers and the only Williams still in the race, since the second chassis was destroyed by Albon during FP1. Logan Sargeant did not participate, by decision of his hierarchy, therefore giving Albon the privilege in this session.

The results of Free Practice 3 of the Australian Grand Prix 2024