Fifth place for Max in final free practice America

Published on 20 October 2018 by Raymond Snip

Max Verstappen has finished the third and final free practice for the United States Grand Prix in fifth place. The Dutchman circled the 5.47 kilometer long Circuit of the Americas twenty-one times and realized a best time of 1:34.703. Sebastian Vettel was fastest, although Kimi Raikkonen (P2) and Lewis Hamilton (P3) remained close by, losing no more than a tenth to the German.

It is busy from the get go on the track in Austin at the start of free practice three. Everyone has to make up lost track time after yesterday’s rained out practice sessions. Within five minutes after the light goes green, everyone is out on the Texas tarmac.

Max Verstappen is also on track and sets a 1:37.575 as his first timed lap, taking third place behind both Ferrari's. After a quarter of an hour, the top six consists of Kimi Raikkonen (1:35.514 - US), Sebastian Vettel (1:35.553 - US), Esteban Ocon (1:36.856 - S), Stoffel Vandoorne (1:37.347 - SS), Max Verstappen (1:37.575 - SS) and Daniel Ricciardo (1:37.700 - SS).

After an action-packed first period, about twenty minutes into the session there is a brief lull. After this, the majority of the drivers, including Max Verstappen, spend their time on a number of longer runs, collecting valuable data for tomorrow's race.

In the first part of the session, Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel seem to be focusing on a few  laps in qualifying trim. Both drivers appear on track with a new set of ultrasofts and improving their times. Raikkonen improves to a 1:34.419, Vettel to a 1:34.551.

Vettel will have to do everything this weekend to prevent championship leader Lewis Hamilton from becoming the World Champion this weekend. Especially, now that the 31-year-old driver from Heppenheim has been given a three-spot grid penalty due to speeding during a code red in free practice one.

With a little over twenty minutes left on the clock, Max Verstappen goes out on a new set of ultrasofts. The Dutchman is faster again and improves his time to a 1:34.994, which takes him to P4. Sebastian Vettel (1:33.797), Kimi Raikkonen (+0.046) and Valtteri Bottas (+0.759) are the top three in front.

The final part of the session is largely dominated by the qualifying runs. Almost everyone installs a new set of ultrasofts and tries to improve their lap times. As does Max Verstappen, who ultimately improves to a 1:34.703. It will put the Aston Martin Red Bull Racing driver in fifth place. Vettel finishes the session quickest, with Raikkonen, Hamilton, Bottas, Verstappen and Ricciardo behind him. Charles Leclerc once again shows his talent with P7.

USA GP contest: win a RBR limited edition USA cap and Red Bull Racing umbrella!

Results third free practice United States: