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Max second in final Bahrain practice

Published on 07 April 2018 by Stefan Meens

Ahead of qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix, Max Verstappen was second fastest in the third and final free practice session at the Bahrain International Circuit. The Dutchman's 1:30.3 was half a second slower than pace setter Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari). Aston Martin Red Bull Racing team mate Daniel Ricciardo was third quickest. 

Because FP3 is scheduled in broad daylight, with qualifying and the race completed after sunset, the conditions in the final practice session are not representative for the remainder of the weekend. This leads the drivers to do their customary installation lap before heading straight back to the team and waiting before clocking a lap time. 

Valtter Bottas (Mercedes) is the first to complete a timed lap, twenty minutes into the hour-long session. At the half way mark, Max heads out for a run on the medium compound, to set his first time of the session. He opens his account with a 1:30.9 and P2. Quickly after, other drivers start posting faster lap times on the softer and quicker Pirelli tyres. 

In the closing stages of the session, it is Max' turn on the super-soft compound. His 1:30.393 propels him straight to P2. Straight after setting this lap time, the youngster almost collides with Kimi Raikkonen, who has just come out of the pits. Luckily the drivers do not touch and both are on their way. 

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Results third free practice Bahrain:

posdriverteamtimelaps
1Kimi RäikkönenRAIFerrari1:29.868
2Max VerstappenVERRed Bull Racing TAG Heuer1:30.393+0.525s
3Daniel RicciardoRICRed Bull Racing TAG Heuer1:30.452+0.584s
4Lewis HamiltonHAMMercedes1:30.691+0.823s
5Sebastian VettelVETFerrari1:30.719+0.851s
6Valtteri BottasBOTMercedes1:30.781+0.913s
7Nico HulkenbergHULRenault1:31.144+1.276s
8Carlos SainzSAIRenault1:31.200+1.332s
9Pierre GaslyGASScuderia Toro Rosso Honda1:31.438+1.570s
10Fernando AlonsoALOMcLaren Renault1:31.445+1.577s
11Brendon HartleyHARScuderia Toro Rosso Honda1:31.460+1.592s
12Romain GrosjeanGROHaas Ferrari1:31.513+1.645s
13Esteban OconOCOForce India Mercedes1:31.554+1.686s
14Sergio PerezPERForce India Mercedes1:31.564+1.696s
15Kevin MagnussenMAGHaas Ferrari1:31.737+1.869s
16Marcus EricssonERISauber Ferrari1:31.859+1.991s
17Stoffel VandoorneVANMcLaren Renault1:31.860+1.992s
18Charles LeclercLECSauber Ferrari1:32.047+2.179s
19Sergey SirotkinSIRWilliams Mercedes1:32.463+2.595s
20Lance StrollSTRWilliams Mercedes1:32.865+2.997s