Portuguese Grand Prix – Free Practice 3: Verstappen’s pride restored

After two free practice sessions dominated by Mercedes, the duel with Red Bull is shaping up, as the debates are tight between Max Verstappen and the two drivers of the star firm. Sergio Perez, who has been lagging behind until now, will he be able to make a comeback to fight for the podium?

Weather conditions are dry for the start of Free Practice 3, with an air temperature of 17°C, rising to 28°C on the track. The wind, relatively strong during the first two practice sessions, is now less present as temperatures are cooler.
First laps for the Haas team and Nikita Mazepin already seems to be struggling with oversteer, forcing him to go off track to recover control of his car. Mick Schumacher follows his Russian teammate’s lead and also loses control of his VF-21. The two drivers from the American team are the only ones on track during the first fifteen minutes of the session, and in the battle of times, the German is leading.

After 20 minutes of the session, the Alpines are in the spotlight with Esteban Ocon and Fernando Alonso in provisional 1st and 3rd places. Leclerc sets the fastest time but #31 takes the lead with a time of 1:19.672, confirming the good form of the French cars. Perez remains 3rd, 39 milliseconds behind the Norman.

Mid-session

As the final quarter of the session approaches, Esteban Ocon moves up to 4th position ahead of Leclerc and Bottas, while Alonso, temporarily in 3rd, had his time cancelled for going off track.
Further back, the McLarens seem to be struggling, with Norris in 7th provisional position and Ricciardo in 11th. The young Englishman #7 spins off track due to an unstable rear end.
The Aston Martins are struggling even more, with Lance Stroll and Sebastian Vettel in 15th and 17th respectively with 10 minutes left in the session.

Last minutes and a surge of pride for Bottas who comes close to his teammate in 1:18.820, still ahead of Sergio Perez.