Free Practice 3: The return of the kings, Hamilton followed by Alonso
Once again after yesterday afternoon, Lewis Hamilton for McLaren made a strong impression by establishing himself as the fastest driver in the third and final free practice session at the Nürburgring circuit. It’s the return of the greats of this sport since Fernando Alonso for Renault is second, followed by Felipe Massa (Ferrari). The three […]
Once again after yesterday afternoon, Lewis Hamilton for McLaren made a strong impression by establishing himself as the fastest driver in the third and final free practice session at the Nürburgring circuit. It’s the return of the greats of this sport since Fernando Alonso for Renault is second, followed by Felipe Massa (Ferrari). The three major teams that make everyone dream are therefore in the top three positions.
Lewis Hamilton thus raises hope for the second time that McLaren could be back on top for this German Grand Prix. Rain and cool weather are still on the agenda.
Hamilton was the leader for a large part of the session. He then went even faster when everyone switched to soft tires on the last stint. He ended the morning with a time of 1:31.121, which was two-tenths ahead of Alonso.
The reigning world champion was even able to return to the pits in the final minutes and see his time remain at the top of the timesheet.
Fernando Alonso therefore takes second place for Renault despite a spin on his last lap.
Felipe Massa repeated his performance from Friday morning by placing third with Ferrari, ahead of the Red Bull duo, Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber, then his teammate Kimi Räikkönen.
The two Williams, those of Nico Rosberg and Kazuki Nakajima, as well as Nick Heidfeld close the top 10.
The world championship leader, Jenson Button in the Brawn, was struggling in this session. He is only 11th and complained over the radio about the low temperature of his tires. This resulted in a locking of his front brakes.
His teammate Rubens Barrichello spent the first half of the hour in the pits due to an electrical problem. He then emerged in 14th position. Between the two Brawn drivers, we find Glock (Toyota) and Sutil (Force India).
At Toro Rosso, Sébastien Buemi is ahead of our Frenchman Sébastien Bourdais. They hold the 17th and 20th positions, respectively. Fisichella for Force India is 15th, and Nelson Piquet (Renault) is 16th. Behind Buemi and in great difficulty are Robert Kubica and Heikki Kovalainen.
Free Practice 3 Results – German GP – Saturday 11th July 2009:
| N° | Driver | Team | Times | Gap | Laps |
1 | Hamilton | McLaren | 1.31.121 | 16 | |
2 | Alonso | Renault | 1.31.340 | +0.219 | 18 |
3 | Massa | Ferrari | 1.31.351 | +0.230 | 20 |
4 | Vettel | Red Bull | 1.31.542 | +0.421 | 17 |
5 | Webber | Red Bull | 1.31.610 | +0.489 | 16 |
6 | Räikkönen | Ferrari | 1.31.615 | +0.494 | 19 |
7 | Trulli | Toyota | 1.31.620 | +0.499 | 23 |
8 | Rosberg | Williams | 1.31.690 | +0.569 | 20 |
9 | Nakajima | Williams | 1.31.731 | +0.610 | 20 |
10 | Heidfeld | BMW-Sauber | 1.31.928 | +0.807 | 21 |
11 | Button | Brawn GP | 1.32.009 | +0.888 | 22 |
12 | Glock | Toyota | 1.32.022 | +0.901 | 20 |
13 | Sutil | Force India | 1.32.104 | +0.983 | 20 |
14 | Barrichello | Brawn GP | 1.32.124 | +1.003 | 13 |
15 | Fisichella | Force India | 1.32.135 | +1.014 | 21 |
16 | Piquet Jr | Renault | 1.32.223 | +1.102 | 15 |
17 | Buemi | Toro Rosso | 1.32.239 | +1.118 | 23 |
18 | Kubica | BMW-Sauber | 1.32.269 | +1.148 | 20 |
19 | Kovalainen | McLaren | 1.32.742 | +1.621 | 18 |
20 | Bourdais | Toro Rosso | 1.32.883 | +1.762 | 21 |
