Max sixth in third free practice of Grand Prix Emilia-Romagna

Published on 18 May 2024 by Florence Cobben

Max Verstappen went sixth fastest in the third free practice of the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix. A chaotic end to the training, caused by a red flag, meant Max did not get time to run his qualifying laps. McLaren-driver Oscar Piastri managed to pre-empt the drama and finished fastest with a 1:15.5 time.

At 12.30 o'clock the lights turn green and the first drivers hit the tracks. Max also appears early oon in the practice. In his first timed round, he sets a time of 1:17.696. He is fourteen-thousandths slower than Oracle Red Bull Racing-teammate Sergio Perez, who goes fastest. Both Red Bulls started the training on medium tyres, in contrast to the Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz. The Ferraris are out on soft tyres, meaning Leclerc immediately makes an impressive first lap. With a time of 1:16:2, he is just 3-tenths slower than the fastest time set this Friday.

In the second timed round of the training, the Ferraris and the Red Bulls both improve their times. After the second round Max is closer to Leclerc's time. The gap between the drivers is 0.190 second, with the reigning world champion still on the medium tyres. 

With just 35 minutes on the clock, the session is brought to a halt. Fernando Alonso crashed in the last turn and can't drive further. Via the boardradio he let his team know he's alright and the Spaniard steps out of the car without problems. The red flag is raised, meaning all drivers return to the pits, losing costly time as the clock ticks on and the training continues. Halfway through the training the Ferraris have claimed first and second place. Max is third for the time being, with around a three-tenths gap to the fastest time. He is still on the medium tyres. 

After around seven minutes the field is cleared and the training resumes. Piastri is one of the first outside on soft tyres and goes third fastest. Max goes out later on the softs. With just eight minutes to go, he appears with the rest of the grid. Piastri goes fastest, with a 1:15.5 time, but the other drivers don't get time to respond. Perez crashes with five minutes on the clock, causing another red flag. He is alright and his car is cleared away. With just two minutes to go the session resumes. A couple of drivers still manages to set a time, but Max is not one of them. His time set on his mediums remains his personal best for the session. The time puts him in sixth place, eight-tenths behind number one Piastri. Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz complete the top three.

Contest GP Imola: win a by Max Verstappen signed Verstappen.com Racing cap!

Results third free practice Emilia-romagna: