Max quickest at third free practice in Turkey

Published on 14 November 2020 by Mike Motilall

Max Verstappen topped the board at the third free practice for the Turkish Grand Prix. On the wet and extremely slippery Istanbul Park circuit the drivers were able to run on the intermediates at the beginning of the session. But the rain got heavier. This resulted in only limited driving in the second half of the session as Max clinched the quickest time in the session with only just six laps to his name. Behind Max, Charles Leclerc came in second with Alexander Albon in third.

It’s drizzling when the third and final free practice for the Turkish Grand Prix gets underway. Immediately after the lights turn green, Romain Grosjean is the first one out on the wet track on the intermediates. Many drivers follow suit and after about five minutes Max heads out as well on also a set of the intermediates.

Verstappen gradually increases the pace and in his second flying lap he tops the timesheet with a 1:48.485. Meanwhile, numerous drivers are doing a water dance as they are spinning left, right and center. Charles Leclerc and Esteban Ocon even briefly come into contact with each other at Turn nine, but the drivers are able to continue on unscathed.

Max reports to his team on the radio that the rain has gotten heavier and after a six-lap stint the Dutchman heads back home as some of the other drivers switch to the full wets. With a little less than half an hour to go, the rain has become so heavy that all the drivers decide to remain in the pits.

Only in the final ten minutes of the session, a few drivers dare to venture out on the soaking wet asphalt. Max doesn’t follow suit and with only six laps to his name, he finishes the session at the top of the timesheet, just like the first and second free practice. Charles Leclerc comes in second, trailing at almost a second behind, while Max’ team mate at Aston Martin Red Bull Racing, Alexander Albon, finishes third fastest.

At 13.00 hrs. Dutch time qualifying for the Turkish Grand Prix will get underway.

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Results third free practice Turkey: