Portuguese GP FP3: Everything you need to know

Max Verstappen set the pace in final practice for Formula 1’s Portuguese Grand Prix, outpacing Lewis Hamilton by two tenths of a second.

Key moments:

> Verstappen sets fastest time on seven-lap-old tyres
> Alonso has time good enough for third deleted
> Brief VSC period when an advertising hoarding in a run-off area blows over
> Spins for Raikkonen, Schumacher, Mazepin and Norris

Verstappen was one of few drivers to improve in the closing stages of the session, when track conditions seemed to work against several runners being able to find time on the traditional qualifying simulation efforts.

The Red Bull driver made several attempts on his final run, eventually setting the fastest time with a lap that didn’t feature an outright best sector time in any of the three segments of the lap.

That left him more than two tenths clear of championship leader Hamilton, who complained of traffic late in the session.

Verstappen felt the need to complain about Hamilton at one point in the session, arguing that his title rival was backing up more than necessary before starting a final lap.

Valtteri Bottas was third in the other Mercedes, although Fernando Alonso briefly set a time good enough to sit behind Verstappen and Hamilton, before it was one of many laps that were deleted during the session for a track limits violation.

Alonso didn’t get another clean lap so he ended the session 14th, but his team-mate Esteban Ocon continued Alpine’s promising weekend with the fifth-fastest time, just behind the second Red Bull of Sergio Perez.

The Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz were next up in sixth and seventh, just ahead of Lando Norris, who was one of several drivers to spin in the low-grip conditions.

Pierre Gasly and Kimi Raikkonen – the latter being another of the session’s spinners along with the Haas drivers – completed the top 10.

Further down the order, Aston Martin had a very quiet session, with Lance Stroll only 16th and Sebastian Vettel 18th.

Practice 3 Results