Amid the unpredictable British weather, the third and final free practice session for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone unfolded in dramatic fashion. George Russell showcased his wet-weather prowess, topping the timesheets ahead of his qualifying-setback">Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton and McLaren's bright young star, Lando Norris.
Weather Conditions Shape the Session
The session began on a rain-soaked Silverstone track, compelling all teams to opt for the intermediate tyres. The drivers navigated the slippery circuit, testing their limits and their car’s capabilities under challenging conditions. The rain added an extra layer of uncertainty, making it a thrilling spectacle for those watching from the stands and at home.
Gasly's Troubles in the Wet
Unfortunately for Pierre Gasly, the slick conditions proved too much. Early in the session, the Alpine driver lost control and spun out, beaching his car in the gravel at the Vale corner. The incident triggered red flags, halting the session briefly as marshals worked to recover Gasly’s car. This mishap highlighted the fine line between pushing the car to its limits and ending up in the barriers, a characteristic feature of wet practice sessions.
Russell's Stellar Performance
As the session progressed and the track began to slightly dry, Russell seized the opportunity to assert his dominance. He clocked an impressive time of 1m 37.529s, edging out his teammate Hamilton by a mere 0.035s. The Mercedes duo reaffirmed their prowess, thrilling the home crowd with their all-British show of skill. Lando Norris, driving for McLaren, managed to secure third place, completing a top-three sweep for the British drivers.
Top Performers
Behind the leading trio, Ferrari's Carlos Sainz and Red Bull's Max Verstappen rounded out the top five. Sainz delivered a solid performance, while Verstappen, the relentless championship leader, demonstrated his adaptability to varying track conditions.
Looking Forward
As we look forward to the qualifying session and the main race, the performances in FP3 have set the stage for an exciting showdown. The British Grand Prix never fails to surprise, and with the locals cheering for their home heroes, the stakes have never been higher. Will Russell carry his momentum into qualifying, or will Hamilton and Norris step up to the challenge?
Stay tuned as we bring you more updates from Silverstone. Hit play on the video above to relive the thrilling moments from FP3.