United States – Free Practice 3: Verstappen and Norris in position, Leclerc breaks down

After the coolness of the early weekend, more temperate conditions welcome the drivers for the 3rd free practice session. The temperatures are 18°C in the air and 25°C on the track.

Kevin Magnussen is the first to hit the track, followed by Lando Norris in the McLaren. Both drivers immediately return to the pits after assessing the American track, followed by the rest of the field.

The track then remains clear of any single-seaters for about 10 minutes before Romain Grosjean returns. The Franco-Swiss driver sets the first benchmark time at 1:36.579.

A few seconds later and shortly after the first quarter-hour of the session, Charles Leclerc, taking to the track, parks his Ferrari on the grass. White smoke is observed at the rear of his car. The yellow flag is out as the Monegasque reports that something is wrong with the car. He returns to his pits on foot. No concern is visible in the Italian camp, as the team’s other car continues running as if nothing happened.

After 25 minutes of the session, Valtteri Bottas takes the provisional fastest time with 1:34.558 ahead of Vettel and Hamilton. Only ten drivers have participated in the session so far. The drivers on the track are starting attack laps. Vettel takes the opportunity to improve the Finn’s time to 1:34.441. Max Verstappen, as soon as he enters the track, closely follows the German with 1:34.458 before surpassing him on his second attempt with 1:34.186, using the red tires. His teammate is currently relegated to 5th place, over a second behind. The latter then manages to snatch the 4th time from Hamilton, beating him by two-tenths.

Hülkenberg is currently the fastest of the others, over a second and a half ahead, seven hundredths in front of Pierre Gasly.

Charles Leclerc’s SF90, brought back to his pit and covered by a red cover, doesn’t seem able to go back on track during this session. The problem observed remains unknown for now.

As the final ten minutes of the session approach and after new rounds of attacks, the order of the best times is changed in favor of Sebastian Vettel with 1:33:523, who positions himself ahead of Verstappen with 1:33:717 and Bottas with 1:33:904.

New weekend record for Max Verstappen who takes command with the fastest time of 1:33.305, more than two-tenths ahead of Vettel.

Surprise in the top 3 with Lando Norris placing his McLaren in 3rd with a time of 1:33.818, a good sign ahead of the upcoming qualifications.

During the latest run, Lewis Hamilton dislodged Alexander Albon from his 4th position but couldn’t do better.

Austin FP3 standings: