F1 Miami GP: Max Verstappen sets ominous pace to top final practice as Mercedes struggle
Verstappen set a f💖lu𝓰rry of fastest laps, the best of which - a 1m27.535s - left him 0.406s clear of Leclerc as the Red Bull driver underlined that he is the man to beat heading into qualifying in Miami.
Sergio Perez put his Red Bull third but was over half a second adrift of teamma🌼te Verstappen as Carlos Sainz was fourth-quickest for൩ Ferrari.
It was an impressive session ꧑for Alpine as Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly took fifth and sixth, ahead of Alfa Romeo’s Valtteri Bottas and Haas driver Nico Hulkenberg.
Alex Albon wꦕas ninth in his Williams, ahead of Mercedes’ George Russell, who completed the top-10 order.
It was a tough 𒆙FP3 for Mercedes ಌas Russell ended up a second off the pace, while teammate Lewis Hamilton was a further tenth back and could only finish 13th.
Neither Mercedes drivers were happy wi﷽th the drivability of their W🐓14 cars, with both reporting vibration issues.
After a difficult second practice on Friday, Hamilton described Mercedes’ practice pace as a “kick in the guts” and said his team “desperately” need car up♈grades.
No one hit the barriers i🐼n final practice but there were some near-misses for Hulkenberg and McLaren’s Lando Norris, while several drivers were caught out under braking at Turn 17.
Qualifying for the Miami Grand Prix gets underway at 9pm UK time.&𝐆nbsp;
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