F1, Max Verstappen ahead of everyone in FP3 at Suzuka

Mercedes in trouble in last free practice session before official qualifying

Max Verstappen laid down the law in Suzuka’s FP3, the last free practice session before official qualifying for the Japanese GP. The Dutch champion preceded, in the order of finish, the two Ferraris of Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc, who nonetheless made an excellent impression. In difficulty, on the other hand, were the two Mercedes cars of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton, sixth and seventh respectively. Excellent fourth was Fernando Alonso driving his Alpine.

Here is the order of finish and FP3 times:

1. Max Verstappen (OLA/Red Bull) 1:30.671
2. Carlos Sainz Jr (SPA/Ferrari) 1:30.965
3. Charles Leclerc (MON/Ferrari) 1:30.980
4. Fernando Alonso (SPA/Alpine-Renault) 1:31.320
5. Sergio Pérez (MES/Red Bull) 1:31.514
6. George Russell (GB/Mercedes) 1:31.530
7. Lewis Hamilton (GB/Mercedes) 1:31.589
8. Lando Norris (GB/McLaren-Mercedes) 1:31.747
9. Esteban Ocon (FRA/Alpine-Renault) 1:31.750
10. Lance Stroll (CAN/Aston Martin-Mercedes) 1:31.838
11. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/McLaren-Mercedes) 1:31.860
12. Alexander Albon (TAI/Williams-Mercedes) 1:31.946
13. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Alfa Romeo) 1:31.971
14. Sebastian Vettel (GER/Aston Martin-Mercedes) 1:32.222
15. Kevin Magnussen (DAN/Haas-Ferrari) 1:32.290
16. Mick Schumacher (GER/Haas-Ferrari) 1:32.366
17. Yuki Tsunoda (GIA/AlphaTauri-Red Bull) 1:32.377
18. Zhou Guanyu (CIN/Alfa Romeo) 1:32.385
19. Nicholas Latifi (CAN/Williams-Mercedes) 1:32.868
20. Pierre Gasly (FRA/AlphaTauri-Red Bull) 1:32.881.