It's Saturday in Jeddah, day of the third free practice and qualifying, scheduled for 19:00. Last tests for the teams of F1 and also Last chance for Fantamanagers to decide who to bet on for qualifying and the race. On a twisty track like this, where the slightest mistake can cause serious damage to the car, the drivers will have to be very careful as an accident could cut them out of qualifying. After the two sessions on Friday where McLaren once again seemed the team to beat, in FP3 they further raised the bar, creating a real emptiness behind them.
In Jeddah, the soft tyres start to be used, McLaren in front
The session is struggling to get going, with most of the drivers preferring to stay in the pits. There is lots of movement in Yuki Tsunoda's box instead, recovering from yesterday evening's accident, with many mechanics working on his single-seater to allow the Japanese driver to take to the track for this very important session.
After 15 minutes from the start of FP3, the big names finally move: Ferrari, McLaren and then all the others come out, on the track with soft tyres. In his first timed lap of the day, Piastri puts himself in front of everyone demonstrating great confidence, followed by his teammate. The times are still higher than yesterday and in fact they are soon lowered, even if the music does not change: 1-2 McLaren.
Mercedes seem, at least for now, more behind than in previous weekends. Russell occupies fifth position and Antonelli eighth with half an hour to go in the session. Leclerc closes in on McLarens with third place at two tenths, while the British Ferrari driver, stuck in ninth position, is on the same lines as yesterday. Note the Williams who, after yesterday's excellent day, confirms his comfort on the Saudi city circuit. Sainz is fifth while Albon is seventh with just over 20 minutes left until the end of free practice.
All with new tyres and McLaren makes a clean sweep
FP3 in Jeddah lights up when there are 15 minutes left and all the drivers come out with new red tires and the best times of the day that are disintegrated from McLaren. Piastri signs an incredible 1.27.513, with Norris the only one capable of staying close to him. Impressive display of strength by the Papaya stable: the closest driver is Russell, who is 7 tenths away. Leclerc, Albon and Verstappen follow, with Hamilton in a dismal twelfth position.
But Norris doesn't accept this and places himself ahead of his teammate by just 24 thousandths.. Hamilton also tries to improve but once again fails to make the top 10. Disconsolate, he reports to his track engineer that he has no grip. In Jeddah, FP3 ends with the McLarens in front of everyone, Russell and Verstappen close behind. Leclerc remains in the top 5 ahead of the Williams, Gasly, Tsunoda and Antonelli. The appointment is at 19:00 Italian time for qualifying!
