The last free practice session in Baku closes with the Sergio Perez's best time, which closes in 1:43.170, just 70 thousandths from Charles Leclerc and about 2 tenths from Max Verstappen. Session started 15 minutes late to allow marshals to fix the damaged barriers after the accident during the sprint race of F2. Taking place at the same time as the race, FP3 are the most indicative for risking Sunday's scenario. However, a key factor in qualifying will be any flags and the traffic in Q1.
Sandwiched Red Bull and Ferrari
Perez, Leclerc, Verstappen and Sainz. These are the first two hypothetical rows, all enclosed in 4 tenths with Leclerc and Perez separated by only 70 thousandths. Even after FP3, the scenario always sees two teams stand out from the group: Red Bull e Ferrari. THE FP1 had closed with the best time of Sergio Perez, while the FP2 with that of Leclerc, who was able to enjoy a lighter rear wing together with his partner, not tested in the first practice session. The team of Milton Keynes here it manages to obtain the best efficiency, even with DRS open.
FP3 bears the signature, once again by Perez. Last year the Mexican found his first and only victory here in 2021, his first year in Red Bull. Surprisingly, the two top teams didn't work much on race pace, but they preferred to focus on the flying lap using the softer compounds, to also keep the advantage of sets of new tires for Sunday.
At Mercedes, we work in FP3
Box number 44 had an intense session work on the rear suspension. The gap of Lewis, 12th, compared to the leaders is about 2 seconds. A very high time considering that his teammate, George Russell, 8th, placed about 1 second and 4 from the leader. Just to add another handicap in Hamilton towards the end of the session the engine power was reducedto preserve it. On the other side of the wall is Russell instead. The young English talent, who grew up in the Mercedes "nest" is fourth in the championship, and so far has never done worse than the Top 5. No one has managed to equal his record, and with such a long season, his first in Mercedes as official rider, consistency is essential.
Recover where possible, and collect the maximum. This is the goal of Mercedes which hopes to be able to return at least to the good condition shown in Barcelona. Porpoising has returned to being felt for everyone even if Mercedes suffers more from it.
Compact group center
They collect 5th and 6th place in the standings Lando Norris e Daniel Ricciardo, recovering after a difficult start on the first day of practice. The center of the group gets interesting. Up to 16th place the gap is about 5 tenths. However, the gap from the top 4 is important and it will be difficult for any of them to creep in to fight for the podium.
Immediately behind the two McLaren drivers we find Pierre Gasly, 7th, aboard the AlphaTauri, who also finished on the podium last year in Baku. The team from Faenza used the last session to test the race pace, especially with the hard tyre. Instead, he ranks 16th tsunoda. They also enter the top 10 Esteban Ocon, 9th e Sebastian Vettel 10th, who has never done worse here than 4th in the race. This time the Frenchman from Alpine had better than his team mate, Fernando Alonso, arrived 11th after yesterday's excellent performance. Stroll, on the other hand, is immediately behind the Spaniard and Hamilton.
Hardest session for Valtteri Bottas, who finishes only 19th in front of his teammate, Zhou, 14th. Problems on the Alfa Romeo of the Finnish ex Mercedes who couldn't restart after a long time. In another launched attempt he instead found an Alpine blocking him in the castle area. Between errors and traffic Valtteri was unable to complete the work on his C42.
The Haas disappoint again: Magnussen he finished 15th while Schumacher 18th. It will take a lot of effort to get through Q1. Williams instead is a candidate for the last positions. Latifs closes 20th e Albon 17 °.
