Vettel fastest as gap closes up at sharp end – FP3 results/report

Sebastian Vettel topped the final practice session ahead of qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix. The German’s 1:16.170s a new track record at the Hungaroring put him 0.1s clear of Valtteri Bottas in second and teammate Kimi Raikkonen in third.

The opening exchanges went the way of Vettel, he put himself over half a second clear of the competition and almost a second clear of title rival Lewis Hamilton after the first runs were complete.

The Ferrari looking as balanced if not more so than it did yesterday and the Mercedes looking a handful, the Red Bull’s also disappointed with their first runs, over a second away from Vettel but with a view to a split strategy come qualifying two. They are the team with the least to lose so it could see them start the race on alternate strategies.

Drivers found it difficult to find space to complete a clean lap, Daniel Ricciardo had a scary moment with a slow Kevin Magnussen, Max Verstappen impeded by Charles Leclerc who quickly apologised via a raised hand.

Qualifying simulations began with Raikkonen laying down the marker and Bottas subsequently beating it in a turn up for Mercedes they desperately needed. Hamilton however spun during his first effort at the turn 6 chicane, proving how much the Silver Arrows are struggling this weekend to keep pace with their rivals.

Bottas replicated his teammates pirouette but tapped the barrier on the outside, he will be thankful there was no damage to his gearbox. Hamilton went for another run and improved his time but was still half a second off the pace. A lot of ground to make up ahead of qualifying.

Red Bull’s efforts only good enough for fifth and sixth position, but as Christian Horner told Sky F1, they feel that Hamilton could be vulnerable come qualifying.