Belgian Grand Prix – Free Practice 3: Verstappen fastest in rain-shortened session

The tension is starting to rise in Spa as we approach the qualifying session. For now, we are entitled to the last free practice session of the weekend… in the characteristic rain of Belgium and in decidedly autumnal conditions . On Friday, Lando Norris dominated the FP2, followed by Oscar Piastri.

Max Verstappen goes out on track on intermediate tires, while the track seems very wet. And Daniel Ricciardo is told on the radio that the rain will intensify… This causes the world champion to slide off, without consequences. The Dutchman is the first to set the pace, at 2:03.232. Ricciardo fears a hydraulic issue on his car, which will bring him back to the pit later, while Norris also goes out on track, also on intermediates.

Piastri is 1.714 seconds slower than Verstappen, but the latter improves his lap by 3 seconds faster than the Australian. Norris places himself between the two… 1.8 seconds behind the Dutchman, who seems to be in good shape for these early FP3 starts. Piastri improves by 1.4 seconds, while the rain intensifies and there are many splashes on the track.

Already a red flag at Spa

Russell is also on track on intermediate tires, while Mercedes has abandoned its new floor for this weekend. The British driver will finish his lap by entering the pit lane, as the track is completely soaked. Meanwhile, Norris and Tsunoda go off into the gravel, without any serious consequences… until the red flag is brought out following a collision involving Lance Stroll at the top of the Raidillon. He lost control of the car and crashed heavily into the safety barriers. His front left tire is almost detached, and the medical car is deployed due to the force of the impact for the Canadian driver. Fortunately, he escapes unharmed. It will take more than 10 minutes to remove the Aston Martin, while the clock continues to tick.

The session resumes with 40 minutes remaining in FP3, but due to heavy rain, no one takes to the track… And the red flag is brought out 15 minutes later as it is deemed that the conditions are too poor for the drivers to go out. However, the timer is left running before the session resumes… With two minutes left, this is not a joke. But it’s mainly about allowing the drivers to practice a race start in these rainy conditions before the qualifying session later in the afternoon. Sainz positions himself at the end of the pit lane, equipped with wet tires, just like Ocon, the VisaCashAppRB team, Haas, and the Kick Sauber team. Therefore, it ends with one final lap and some practice race starts. See you at 4 p.m. for the qualifying session, perhaps again in the rain…

Practice Session 3 standings of the Belgian Grand Prix