FP3: Max last due to technical problems

Published on 24 October 2015 by Stefan Meens

Max Verstappen finished the third three practice session for the American Grand Prix in last place as power unit problems tormented the Scuderia Toro driver. The issues prevented the Dutchman from setting a representative time in a session plagued by heavy rain. Mercedes ace Lewis Hamilton, who is hoping to wrap up the title this weekend, was quickest in the treacherous conditions. Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) and Nico Hulkenberg (Force India) completed the top three. 

Despite the heavy rainfall, resulting in FP2 being canceled yesterday, the FIA decided free practice three would start at the normal time of 10:00am local time. Daniel Ricciardo is the first driver to brave the conditions in front of an absent crowd as the Circuit of the Americas management decided conditions were too appalling for fans. 

All drivers tip toed their way around the Austin based circuit on the full wets, the compound made mandatory for the session by the FIA. Nevertheless, there were a lot of sliding and spinning cars on track, however none ending up in serious trouble. Vettel was the first driver to set a competitive lap with Hulkenberg, Raikkonen and Sainz showing good speed in the tricky circumstances.

Meanwhile, Max headed back to the pits after only four laps and remains there for a long time. He finally went out again with twelve minutes on the clock. His STR10 was plagued by technical issues forcing the Dutchman to stay in the pits the majority of the session. Max' final run, aimed at checking the power unit, proved fairly fruitless in terms of outright pace due to the worsened conditions and is concluded after only three laps. It brings the youngster's total tally of laps in FP3 to seven.

At the front, Hamilton snatched the fastest lap of Vettel to reiterate his ambitions to wrap up the title fight this weekend. Carlos Sainz put in a good shift for Toro Rosso by finishing fifth.

Circuit of the Americas - USA Grand Prix - Saturday 24 October 2015

 RESULTS FREE PRACTICE 3
 P  No Driver             Team          Time     Gap   Laps 
 1  44 Lewis Hamilton     Mercedes      1:59.517          9 
 2   5 Sebastian Vettel   Ferrari       2:00.380 +0.863s  9 
 3  27 Nico Hulkenberg    Force India   2:00.496 +0.979s 12 
 4  77 Valtteri Bottas    Williams      2:00.523 +1.006s 14 
 5  55 Carlos Sainz       Toro Rosso    2:00.687 +1.170s 11 
 6  26 Daniil Kvyat       Red Bull      2:00.694 +1.177s 12 
 7   7 Kimi Räikkönen     Ferrari       2:00.785 +1.268s  9 
 8   3 Daniel Ricciardo   Red Bull      2:01.008 +1.491s 12 
 9   6 Nico Rosberg       Mercedes      2:01.474 +1.957s  7 
10  19 Felipe Massa       Williams      2:02.199 +2.682s 13 
11  11 Sergio Perez       Force India   2:02.660 +3.143s 12 
12   8 Romain Grosjean    Lotus         2:02.825 +3.308s 10 
13  13 Pastor Maldonado   Lotus         2:02.921 +3.404s 11 
14  14 Fernando Alonso    McLaren       2:03.375 +3.858s  9 
15   9 Marcus Ericsson    Sauber        2:04.399 +4.882s 13 
16  22 Jenson Button      McLaren       2:05.283 +5.766s  7 
17  28 Will Stevens       Marussia      2:05.378 +5.861s 10 
18  53 Alexander Rossi    Marussia      2:05.607 +6.090s 10 
19  12 Felipe Nasr        Sauber        2:06.792 +7.275s 10 
20  33 Max Verstappen     Toro Rosso    2:09.994 +10.477s 7

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