Eifel Grand Prix – Free Practice 3: Leclerc Challenges the Mercedes Cars
This third free practice session, which is actually the first this weekend, sees both Mercedes finish in front with Bottas taking the advantage. Charles Leclerc delivers a strong performance just behind.
It was the first time during the weekend that the drivers took to the track at the Nürburgring due to the heavy rain that prevented any running on Friday. With the track still very cold, most drivers were reluctant to push the car too hard, the goal being more to discover the track and gather data for the race.
On the podium in 2013, Romain Grosjean was the first driver to set a time. The Frenchman’s experience on the German track could be a good advantage for him compared to most of his competitors who have never raced there, outside of junior categories.
Lance Stroll absent from FP3
It was at the very beginning of the session that we learned that Lance Stroll would not be able to participate in the only practice session for the Grand Prix as he was not feeling well.
To this announcement, we can ask two questions. Did Lance Stroll catch COVID-19? And if he can’t race in the Grand Prix, will Nico Hülkenberg be able to replace him?
In any case, it’s another blow for Racing Point and Lance Stroll, who are each fighting for strong positions in the championship. Respectively 3rd and 4th in the standings.
Renault engines in the spotlight
With 30 minutes remaining in this FP3, the single-seaters powered by the French engine block showed a very good pace with Esteban Ocon being the first to beat the track record, followed by Lando Norris and finally Daniel Ricciardo. The battle between these two teams promises to be fierce.
Alas for the Enstone-powered single-seaters, the Red Bulls and Mercedes came to spoil the party by climbing to the top positions.
The good form of the Ferraris
It was a good Free Practice 3 session for the Scuderia, with Charles Leclerc finishing in a surprising 3rd place, 2 positions ahead of his garage mate, Sebastian Vettel. The latter, despite a small spin early in the session, managed to set the 5th fastest time of the morning.
The qualifications will be decisive to confirm positions, in view of what will undoubtedly be a surprising race.
Free Practice 3 Results of the 2020 Eifel Grand Prix
N° | Driver | Team | Times | Gap | Laps |
1 | Bottas | Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport | 1:26.225 | 25 | |
2 | Hamilton | Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport | 1:26.361 | +0.136 | 27 |
3 | Leclerc | Scuderia Ferrari | 1:26.681 | +0.456 | 25 |
4 | Verstappen | Aston Martin Red Bull Racing | 1:26.896 | +0.671 | 24 |
5 | Vettel | Scuderia Ferrari | 1:27.038 | +0.813 | 25 |
6 | Norris | McLaren F1 Team | 1:27.167 | +0.942 | 29 |
7 | Perez | BWT Racing Point F1 Team | 1:27.245 | +1.020 | 25 |
8 | Ricciardo | Renault DP World F1 Team | 1:27.392 | +1.167 | 23 |
9 | Albon | Aston Martin Red Bull Racing | 1:27.449 | +1.224 | 23 |
10 | Gasly | Scuderia AlphaTauri Honda | 1:27.528 | +1.303 | 28 |
11 | Ocon | Renault DP World F1 Team | 1:27.634 | +1.409 | 27 |
12 | Kvyat | Scuderia AlphaTauri Honda | 1:27.795 | +1.570 | 26 |
13 | Sainz Jr. | McLaren F1 Team | 1:27.924 | +1.699 | 29 |
14 | Räikkönen | Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN | 1:27.956 | +1.731 | 25 |
15 | Grosjean | Haas F1 Team | 1:28.115 | +1.890 | 27 |
16 | Magnussen | Haas F1 Team | 1:28.293 | +2.068 | 27 |
17 | Russell | Williams Racing | 1:28.242 | +2.017 | 30 |
18 | Giovinazzi | Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN | 1:28.370 | +2.145 | 25 |
19 | Latifi | Williams Racing | 1:28.941 | +2.716 | 26 |
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