Max fastest in third free practice on Spa-Francorchamps

Published on 27 July 2024 by Florence Cobben

Max Verstappen has concluded the flooded third free practice of the Belgian Grand Prix in first. The session started with a wet track, and saw Max immediately drive out of the pits to set down a lap time. The first red flag was waved after Lance Stroll suffered a crash ten minutes into the session. The session was briefly resumed, but bad weather meant the teams elected to stay inside the pits, meaning Max Verstappen in his Oracle Red Bull Racing-car concluded the session as the fastest driver. 

The rain on the 7,004 km long circit of Spa-Francorchamps meant the third free practice would be start in wet conditions. Max is the first driver on track with a set of intermediates beneath his RB20. The track conditions are treacherous, and Max goes wide on his outlap in turn eight. Verstappen corrects the mistake and continues down the track. Max sets a timed lap of 2:01.565, a time that becomes increasingly unfeasible for other drives to beat with the rain beating down. 

After ten minutes Lance Stroll crashes at high speed at the top of the Raidillon. The Canadian hits the wall spinning, damaging the left front of his Aston Martin. Stroll emerges from the wreckage in one piece, but the red flag is waved, halting the session. After ten minutes the track is cleared for action. The drivers, however, elect to stay inside, since it's pouring cats and dogs. 

The FIA elects to halt the session 25 minutes early because of bad weather. With just two minutes to go, the track is greenlit once more so the drivers can have a go at a trial start. They don't manage to improve on Max's time - Carlos sainz in his Ferrari only just manages not to collide into the tyre stacks in turn eight. This means Max is the fastest of the session, followed by Oscar Piastri and Pierre Gasly.  

Qualifying starts at 16:00.

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

Results third free practice Belgium: