Max 12th in final free practice Barcelona

Published on 12 May 2018 by Mike Motilall

Max Verstappen finished twelfth fastest in the final free practice in the run up to the Spanish Grand Prix. On Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya Mercedes running Lewis Hamilton was the fastest, followed by team mate Valtteri Bottas and Sebastian Vettel in third in his Ferrari.

With some overcast the session gets underway and it’s both Saubers that immediately take charge of matters. Aston Martin Red Bull Racing doesn’t show much signs of getting ready to venture out on track. While many drivers return to the pits after an installation lap, Max is still next to his car chatting with his engineer.

The drivers from the top teams are not seen on track during the opening stages of this training session. Kimi Raikkonen is an exception though; due to the problems on Friday, he has been given a new engine, turbo and MGU-H in his Ferrari. After almost fifteen minutes into the session, Brendon Hartley is the only driver with a time on the clock.

Shortly afterwards things start to come alive as Ferrari and Mercedes are starting to show some action. Moments later we see the first Red Bull on the tarmac. Daniel Ricciardo has started his out lap on a set of the medium tyres. His first lap puts him in P5, behind both Mercedes and Ferrari’s.

Not much later, Max also heads out on track. Team principal Christian Horner informs Sky Sports that Max has remained inside in order to save the engine. “We are not going make unnecessary mileage, while the track conditions are not yet optimal”, is what the Britt had to say about the matter.

His first flying lap puts Max in P7, one hundredths of a second behind his team mate. Shortly the Dutchman drops one more spot again, as both Haas’ drivers have also joined the fun. Meanwhile Max has been put under investigation by the stewards. During an excursion at Turn one, he apparently failed to get back on track correctly. Instead of steering to the right he went left of a pole on the track.

With still over twenty minutes remaining on the clock, Lance Stroll takes yet again another off track excursion through the gravel trap. He manages to keep the car out of the wall and is able to continue on. Even Ricciardo makes a small of track excursion, and the Ossie is also able to continue on unscathed.

In the closing stages of the practice, we don’t see Max on track anymore. The team is busy working on his RB14. The floor needs to be replaced due to a technical issue. Team mate Ricciardo heads back out on a set of the super softs. The Ozzie proves that there is nothing wrong with the speed of the Bull as he comes in fifth fastest, seven tenths astray from Hamilton.

Hartley triggers a code red in the final minutes. The New-Zealander has crashed severely with his Toro Rosso turning in for Turn nine. Luckily he is able to walk away from it.

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Results third free practice Spain: