The last practice session has just ended libere of the Saudi Arabian GP with in the lead once again Max Verstappen. The Dutchman even trims 6 tenths to his stablemate Sergio Perez. Third Fernando Alonso a 3 tenths about from Mexican. From him to Alexander albon (P15) there is only half a second.
Ferrari: engine not yet at full speed or late at night?
What surprises, in a negative way, seems to be the Ferrari. The two pilots of the red they finished in P6 with Charles Leclerc and in P10 with Carlos Sainz. The gap is approx according 1 from Milton Keynes team but, according to rumors, the Maranello team is very low on engine and we could see a good fight in qualifying. So the situation is very similar to that of Bahrain.
All very close in FP3: what a Formula 1!
In fourth position we find another Aston Martin, that of Lance stroll who, after having fully recovered from the bicycle accident, seems to be close to his partner. In fifth, surprisingly, there is Lewis Hamilton, with George Russell only in P11. We'll see if Mercedes can join the party for the front rows in qualifying. Astounding, given the performance found in Sakhir, the McLaren, which concludes these FP3s in P7 and P8 respectively with Lando Norris ed Oscar piastri. All enthusiasts, especially the most nostalgic, expect to see the British team always in the top positions given the great history they bring with them. On the shields the Alpine which proved to be stronger on the race pace than on the flying lap, finishing this session only in ninth with Pierre Gasly and in the fourteenth with Esteban Ocon.
In short, there are all the credentials to attend a qualification spettacolare, full of twists and, who knows, maybe a poleman that nobody expects!
ARTICLE BY FRANCESCO ORLANDO
