Verstappen goes fastest in FP3 after red flagged wet session

In a incredibly wet, and disrupted free practice session. Max Verstappen was still able to set the fastest lap time. The Red Bull driver finished +1.433s ahead of Oscar  Piastri. Alpine's Gasly was +1.610 behind. Lando Norris, Esteban Ocon, Charles Leclerc, Lance Stroll, Valtteri Bottas, Lewis Hamilton and Sergio Perez completed the top 10 on the timesheet. 

What happened in FP3?

Drivers were met with wet conditions for the final free practice session of the weekend. This was incredibly important for them, given rain is also predicted for qualifying in the afternoon. Early on, Max Verstappen set the fastest time, with both McLarens behind. Daniel Ricciardo complained of losing hydraulics, although his team could not identify the issue. After ten minutes, the Australian was ordered back into the pits. As other drivers continued to head into the pits due to the strong rainfall, Lance Stroll caused a red flag around twelve minutes into the session. The Aston Martin driver hit the barriers at Raidillon and broke his front suspension. This was due to him aquaplaning, spinning off, and then hitting the barriers. 

Shortly after, the session resumed. Drivers remained in the pits though as the rain continued to become heavier. With 25 minutes remaining, a red flag was once again called. At first, it was not clear whether this was for the standing water, or because the medical helicopter could not take off in the conditions. The medical car then made its way onto the track to assess the conditions. In the end, it was determined conditions were too wet, with heavy water on the track.

With just two minutes of the session remaining, drivers were authorised to enter the track to do some practice starts. No other lap times were able to be set.