Max eighth in rainy FP3 at Silverstone

Published on 08 July 2023 by Misha van der Kroon

Max Verstappen clocked the eighth time in the third free practice session of the British Grand Prix. Because of the rainy weather, the Dutchman did not go out on the soft tyres, but he was the fastest driver of the grid on medium tyres. Charles Leclerc was fastest overall in this session, followed by Alexander Albon and Fernando Alonso. Pierre Gasly and Lewis Hamilton completed the top five.

When the session starts, it’s still dry. But race control announces that there is a 90% chance of rain later on during the session. Lando Norris is one of the first to leave his garage, but immediately gets the instruction to stop his car at the end of the pitlane. A cooling fan still seemed to be attached to the McLaren. One of the mechanics quickly removes the fan and the Briton can continue on his way. Verstappen is immediately fast on the mediums and sets a 1:28.836, two tenths faster than Leclerc in second position. Sainz then takes over first place from Verstappen; he is three tenths faster on the soft tyre. Shortly after, Leclerc, on the softs as well, makes it 1-2 for Ferrari and pushes Max back to third.

Hamilton goes a notch faster on the soft tyre. He gives the British public a reason to cheer by setting the fastest time. Moments later, Leclerc goes half a second faster. Then an interesting on-board radio: Logan Sargeant reports that something has flown off his car and that a stream of hot air is blowing over his arm. The American driver enters the pits, and his team investigates what happened.

About twenty minutes into the session, many drivers are told that rain is coming. As a result, almost everyone takes to the track to put down some fast laps, and times are being improved. The top five is as follows: Leclerc, Albon, Alonso, Gasly and Hamilton. Half way through the session it indeed starts to rain. Verstappen has meanwhile dropped back to eighth place. He is the fastest on the mediums, all men before him have set their fastest times on the soft tyre.

The only one who initially stays out in these rainy conditions is Charles Leclerc, and surprisingly does so on soft tyres. But after a few laps, he also calls it quits and returns to his garage. After a few quiet minutes on the track, Lando Norris is the first to go out again. The team put the intermediate tyres on his McLaren. More drivers follow on inters, but none improve their previously set times. 

A little later, Norris takes a gamble and switches back to softs, but the track at Silverstone just seems too wet. The rain continues and we no longer see any fast times. Verstappen comes out on inters for a moment, just like the majority of the field. The fastest times however are already set in the first part of FP3. Leclerc is the fastest man this session, followed by Albon and Alonso.

Contest GP Silverstone: win a by Max Verstappen signed Orange Lion Driver Cap!

Results third free practice Great Britain: