Saudi Arabian GP FP3 Report: Lewis Hamilton Lands in Hot Water After Inadvertently ‘Blocking’ Mazepin & Gasly

It’s the final practice session before the more important part of the Saudi Arabian GP begins. With qualifying looming around the corner, it was crucial for the drivers to get accustomed to the new circuit one more time. Breaking the status quo of the weekend, Max Verstappen took his Red Bull to the top of the timesheets.

With Friday showing the more vulnerable parts of the circuits, it would be crucial for drivers to keep their machines out of the barriers. Further, the immense speed that this circuit hold, adds to the many details that have to be kept in mind.

At the end of the session, Max Verstappen set the marker as Hamilton stayed extremely close behind. Sergio Perez came into the mix with P3, as the AlphaTauri duo rounded up the top 5.

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Traffic could be a problem during Qualifying

The blind corners on the quick track remain important. Thus, when Hamilton impeded both Gasly and Mazepin during the session, the late information from Bono could have been incredibly unsafe for all drivers involved. Both Mazepin and Gasly thought quick to avoid the Brit; otherwise, it would’ve been an unpleasant outcome.

Traffic is an issue; the two incidents over a matter of corners showed the same. First Gasly locked up and ran straight to the run-off area to avoid Hamilton, who was trying to get out of the way. But Mercedes didn’t warn Lewis that Mazepin was also on a hot lap. As the Russian came round the corner, he had to go over the chicane to avoid a collision.

The track gives for close racing, which means higher speeds. This has raised a few eyebrows regarding traffic with two near misses in quick succession.

Although Hamilton shouldn’t necessarily receive a penalty for the incidents, drivers and engineers should be warned of speeds and traffic more vigilantly ahead of the qualifying session. A collision at any point from now could be massively costly to any team.

Red Bull brings confidence, Mercedes brings pace to Saudi Arabian GP

On the white boots, the W12 was incredible. With purple sectors across the board, Mercedes had set the bar very high in this session. As always, they would be the ones to look out for during the qualifying session. The spicy engine Wolff threatened was almost a second clear of the rest of the field. This makes things very interesting.

But then came Verstappen. The Dutchman’s times were incredibly close to Hamilton’s as he inched closer and closer with time; he found himself on top of the sheets very quickly. Red Bull had come into this session with newfound confidence, which was clearly reflected in both their drivers’ performances today.

Sergio Perez had finally found the pace in his Red Bull as the Mexican made his way to the top five of the timesheet. With a P3 finish, Perez brings back promise for Red Bull in the constructor’s fight.

Midfield battle fizzles out as AlphaTauri impresses

The Ferrari drivers ran the track with absolute confidence as Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz finished FP3 in P7 and P8. Their orange rivals came in behind them, at a slower P10 for Norris and P14 for Ricciardo.

While Ferrari and McLaren set their usual times, AlphaTauri came in flying. Once again, Pierre Gasly and Yuki Tsunoda put their team in the top 5. While the battle for P3 goes on, the sister Red Bull team may impede the Big Two with its profound pace during the qualifying session.

Now, as the sun sets for the qualifying round, it will be a crucial session. The narrow track gives way for very little overtaking, thus finding a comfortable spot on the starting grid will be decisive.

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