Max sixth in Baku FP3 despite technical issue

Published on 24 June 2017 by Stefan Meens

Max Verstappen finished the final free practice session to the Azerbeidjan Grand Prix in sixth. Max’s efforts to improve on his fastest laps set yesterday were cut short by a technical failure. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) and Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari) set the pace, followed by Bottas’ team mate Lewis Hamilton and Red Bull Racing’s Daniel Ricciardo.

In the opening stages of FP3, most drivers opt for a stint on the medium tyres. Max’ first run is cut short due to a yellow flag; Jolyon Palmer’s Renault spitting flames as it breaks down on track.

After the circuit is cleared, Max heads out for a long run on the soft Pirelli compound to work on his RB13’s race pace.

With 20 minutes to go, Max switches to the super-soft tyres for qualifying runs. However, early on in his efforts, he tells the team: “There is something wrong with the engine. Every time I go near the limiter, I hear a strange noise.” After some quick tips from the pit wall, the problem seems solved before Max informs the team it has arisen again.

The youngster is right that there is a problem; with ten minutes to go, the RB13 shuts itself down forcing Max into a walk back to the team.

At the front, the two Mercedes and Raikkonen dice for the fastest time, with Valttari Bottas coming out on top.

Azerbeidjan Grand Prix - Baku - Saturday 24 June

FREE PRACTICE 3 RESULTS

01 77 Valtteri Bottas     Mercedes                    1:42.742          21
02  7 Kimi Räikkönen      Ferrari                     1:42.837 +0.095s  14
03 44 Lewis Hamilton      Mercedes                    1:43.158 +0.416s  23
04  3 Daniel Ricciardo    Red Bull Racing TAG Heuer   1:43.287 +0.545s  24
05 31 Esteban Ocon        Force India Mercedes        1:43.344 +0.602s  21
06 33 Max Verstappen      Red Bull Racing TAG Heuer   1:43.614 +0.872s  16
07 19 Felipe Massa        Williams Mercedes           1:43.738 +0.996s  18
08 26 Daniil Kvyat        Toro Rosso                  1:43.908 +1.166s  21
09 18 Lance Stroll        Williams Mercedes           1:44.040 +1.298s  17
10 11 Sergio Perez        Force India Mercedes        1:44.138 +1.396s  22
11 27 Nico Hulkenberg     Renault                     1:44.312 +1.570s  16
12  5 Sebastian Vettel    Ferrari                     1:44.344 +1.602s  7
13 55 Carlos Sainz        Toro Rosso                  1:44.401 +1.659s  23
14 14 Fernando Alonso     McLaren Honda               1:44.741 +1.999s  18
15 20 Kevin Magnussen     Haas Ferrari                1:44.926 +2.184s  20
16  2 Stoffel Vandoorne   McLaren Honda               1:45.143 +2.401s  17
17  8 Romain Grosjean     Haas Ferrari                1:45.491 +2.749s  20
18  9 Marcus Ericsson     Sauber Ferrari              1:45.645 +2.903s  21
19 94 Pascal Wehrlein     Sauber Ferrari              1:45.722 +2.980s  19
20 30 Jolyon Palmer       Renault                     1:53.040 +10.298s  4

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