Carlos Sainz will head into qualifying full of confidence after setting the fastest time in final practice for the Bahrain Grand Prix.
The Spaniard, who will leave Ferrari at the end of the season, set a best lap time of a 1:30.824 to finish 0.141secs faster than Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso and although times aren't representative at this time of day, plenty of intrigue has been created ahead of qualifying.
Max Verstappen failed to top any of the three practice sessions but finished third quickest for Red Bull ahead of Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris, who overcame a late set-up change during the session.
George Russell was the lead Mercedes driver in sixth ahead of Norris' McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri and Sergio Perez, who initially ran a set of Hard tyres rather than the Softs.
Nico Hulkenberg again demonstrated good pace for Haas and rounded out the top 10 along with Lance Stroll - 10th being just 0.572secs down on Sainz's best time.
Lewis Hamilton could finish only 12th fastest, whilst Alpine's Pierre Gasly propped up the field.
Result Free practice 3 - Bahrain
| # | Driver | Team | Time | Tyre |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Ferrari | 1:30.824 |
|
| 2 |
|
Aston Martin | 1:30.965 |
|
| 3 |
|
Red Bull | 1:31.062 |
|
| 4 |
|
Ferrari | 1:31.094 |
|
| 5 |
|
McLaren | 1:31.118 |
|
| 6 |
|
Mercedes | 1:31.190 |
|
| 7 |
|
McLaren | 1:31.210 |
|
| 8 |
|
Red Bull | 1:31.248 |
|
| 9 |
|
Haas | 1:31.278 |
|
| 10 |
|
Aston Martin | 1:31.396 |
|
| 11 |
|
VCARB | 1:31.449 |
|
| 12 |
|
Mercedes | 1:31.452 |
|
| 13 |
|
VCARB | 1:31.631 |
|
| 14 |
|
Haas | 1:31.671 |
|
| 15 |
|
Williams | 1:31.965 |
|
| 16 |
|
Stake | 1:32.000 |
|
| 17 |
|
Stake | 1:32.096 |
|
| 18 |
|
Alpine | 1:32.124 |
|
| 19 |
|
Williams | 1:32.125 |
|
| 20 |
|
Alpine | 1:32.382 |
|
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