Ferrari Retains the Advantage in FP3 Ahead of Russian Grand Prix 2019 Qualifying

The resurgence of Ferrari continues as Charles LeClerc tops the Russian Grand Prix 2019 Free Practice 3 session ahead of qualifying. Hot on his heels, is Ferrari teammate Sebastian Vettel, fresh from his win at the Singapore Grand Prix last weekend. The Mercedes duo of Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas respectively, tailed them, along with Red Bull driver Max Verstappen.

Surprisingly, Haas F1 driver Romain Grosjean was 5th, splitting the Red Bull duo, with Alex Albon behind him. Rounding out the top 10 were outgoing Renault driver, Nico Hulkenberg, McLaren’s Lando Norris, and the other Haas of Kevin Magnussen.

Toro Rosso’s Pierre Gasly was in an impressive form in the last practice session on Friday, but only managed 11th fastest. He leads an ex-Red Bull family trio, consisting of Daniel Ricciardo and Carlos Sainz in that order.

The Racing Point duo of Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll were 15th and 16th, splitting the Alfa Romeo pair of Antonio Giovinazzi and Kimi Raikkonen in 14th and 17th. Propping up the rear, was home hero Daniil Kvyat, who encountered an issue with his car.

His car stopped on track for the second time this weekend, after similar issues in FP2. The Russian was sandwiched between the usual suspect, the Williams F1 duo, with George Russell ahead of Robert Kubica.

So, it is advantage Ferrari ahead of the Russian Grand Prix 2019 Qualifying session, at a track that would normally suit the Mercedes.