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FP3 report | Hamilton tops FP3, Verstappen 2nd to set-up exciting qualifying
Lewis Hamilton has finished at the top of the timesheets in the third and final practice session ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix. Max Verstappen finished just 0.013 seconds behind.
Any of the top five drivers look like they have a realistic chance of finishing in pole position. The gap between Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari is tight this weekend.
The session start-time was delayed as marshalls put dust down on an oil leak which occurred in Formula 2. The Hungaroring circuit continued to evolve as the dust lifted from the second sector.
The name at the top of the timesheet continued to alternate, but Hamilton was ahead for the majority of the time. The Mercedes cars are strong in the final two sectors but weak in the opening sector. Meanwhile, Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc were strongest in sector one.
How it happened
The third practice session of the Hungarian was reduced to a 50-minute session. The marshalls were on track in the opening 10 minutes putting dust down on oil spilt during an engine blow out in the Formula 2 race earlier this morning. With the rain yesterday, it was frustrating for those who hadn't completed much running.
With the Formula 1 cars throwing the dust in the air, the big three teams decided to wait in the garage for the track to clear. During this time, the McLaren duo topped the timesheets as they look to regain 'best of the rest' in Hungary. SportPesa Racing Point also demonstrated good pace during the early exchanges.
Ferrari and Mercedes emerged with the Scuderia taking the top spots early on. Bottas set fastest sector times in the second and third sectors, but could only manage P4 as the Ferrari proved they're dominant in the opening sector.
Mercedes then turned it up and produced a 1-2 in their second runs with 30 minutes of the session left. Verstappen beat Hamilton's best time before the Silver Arrows decided to change wings.
With track conditions constantly improving, the name at the top of the timesheets continued to alternate. The middle sector, where most of the dust settled, saw the biggest improvement of times.
Verstappen looked like he had finished in P1, but Hamilton was 0.013 seconds faster in his final run. McLaren look comfortably best of the rest with Lando Norris not too far from the big teams.