Max fourth in final Hungary practice

Published on 29 July 2017 by Stefan Meens

Max Verstappen clocked the fourth fastest time in the final practice session of the Hungarian Grand Prix. Ferrari set the pace with Sebastian Vettel quickest, followed by his team mate Kimi Raikkonen. Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas was third.

Prior to FP3, there was uncertainty if Felipe Massa would participate the remainder of the weekend. The Brazilian felt ill in FP2, but was given the all clear to drive. However, despite driving FP3, it is Williams reserve driver Paul Di Resta who will qualify and contest the race instead of Massa.

The final free practice session followed the usual trend with the teams doing long runs and set-up work in the first part of the training, before running qualifying simulations near the end.

A positive surprise is the pace the McLarens have shown thus far, with Fernando Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne once again in the top ten. Another driver who enjoyed a good start to the weekend is Max Red Bull Racing team mate Daniel Ricciardo. However, after being the quickest driver in FP1 and FP2, a gearbox issue at the half mark point of FP3, cut the Australian’s running short.

In the meantime, it is the Ferraris that set the pace, followed by the Mercedes and Max, which will make for an interesting and closely contested qualifying session.

Hungarian Grand Prix - Hungaroring - Saturday 29 July

FREE PRACTICE 3 RESULTS

01  5 Sebastian Vettel    Ferrari                     1:17.017          17
02  7 Kimi Räikkönen      Ferrari                     1:17.492 +0.475s  16
03 77 Valtteri Bottas     Mercedes                    1:17.914 +0.897s  15
04 33 Max Verstappen      Red Bull Racing TAG Heuer   1:18.194 +1.177s  25
05 44 Lewis Hamilton      Mercedes                    1:18.434 +1.417s  14
06  2 Stoffel Vandoorne   McLaren Honda               1:18.638 +1.621s  18
07 27 Nico Hulkenberg     Renault                     1:18.699 +1.682s  20
08  3 Daniel Ricciardo    Red Bull Racing TAG Heuer   1:18.714 +1.697s  7
09 14 Fernando Alonso     McLaren Honda               1:18.884 +1.867s  14
10 30 Jolyon Palmer       Renault                     1:18.956 +1.939s  19
11 55 Carlos Sainz        Toro Rosso                  1:19.300 +2.283s  22
12 31 Esteban Ocon        Force India Mercedes        1:19.352 +2.335s  22
13 26 Daniil Kvyat        Toro Rosso                  1:19.455 +2.438s  23
14 11 Sergio Perez        Force India Mercedes        1:19.609 +2.592s  22
15  8 Romain Grosjean     Haas Ferrari                1:19.622 +2.605s  21
16 20 Kevin Magnussen     Haas Ferrari                1:19.895 +2.878s  19
17 19 Felipe Massa        Williams Mercedes           1:20.255 +3.238s  12
18 18 Lance Stroll        Williams Mercedes           1:20.379 +3.362s  24
19 94 Pascal Wehrlein     Sauber Ferrari              1:20.446 +3.429s  24
20  9 Marcus Ericsson     Sauber Ferrari              1:20.748 +3.731s  19 

Hungarian GP contest: win an orange Max Verstappen driver cap & orange VER flag!