Austrian GP FP3: Verstappen quickest by over half a second.

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen topped the time-sheets in FP3 at the Austrian GP ahead of Mercedes pairing Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton who were second and third respectively, with the latter losing his best time.

Max Verstappen, #33, Red Bull Racing-Honda, RB16B, Free Practice 3, Formula 1 VTB Grosser Preis Von Osterreich 2021, Red Bull Ring, Spielberg, Styria, Austria. Image credit to Sutton Images. Verstappen Austrian GP FP3, 2021 Austrian GP FP3.

It was bright and sunny compared to yesterday’s running, as Free Practice 3 featured much hotter conditions, which meant the drivers struggled to keep their softer compounds alive – particularly at the end of their flyers, where Hamilton’s best effort was invalidated for exceeding track limits at the exit of the final corner.

The gap between to Verstappen was still considerable, as Red Bull returned to dominating at the top after Mercedes ended the opening day of practice at the head of the time-sheets.

The majority of drivers ran Pirelli’s unmarked prototype compound in the early proceedings, as the teams opted to save their weekend allocation of rubber ahead of qualifying – where it is likely that the C4 yellow side-walled medium tyres will be the key to progressing through to the final segment and to have a strategy advantage for the start of tomorrow’s Grand Prix.

Verstappen’s posted his benchmark of a 1:04.591 with just ten minutes remaining and on his second qualifying simulation run.

Hamilton dipped into the 1:04’s for a few moments, but he lost his 1:04.994 effort – still 0.403 seconds adrift of Verstappen’s best time – and was deleted for running wide beyond track limits at the exit of turn ten.

This elevated Bottas to second place with a 1:05.129, which would have been third on the time-sheets had Hamilton’s time stood.

Scuderia AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly was fourth and in-front of Alfa Romeo Racing’s Antonio Giovinazzi who took fifth and Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz who finished the session in sixth.

Sergio Perez ended up seventh in the other Honda-powered RB16B Red Bull and ahead of Alpine F1 Team’s Fernando Alonso who came eighth, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in ninth and Aston Martin’s Sebastian Vettel who completed the top ten.

You can see the full Formula 1 VTB Grosser Preis Von Osterreich 2021 Free Practice 3 Results Classification at the link: https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2021/races/1071/austria/practice-3.html

Hamilton extends contract with Mercedes to 2023

Lewis Hamilton, #44, Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team, F1 W12, Qualifying, Formula 1 Aramco Gran Premio De Espana 2021, Circuit De Barcelona-Catalunya, Barcelona, Montmelo, Spain. Image credit to Sutton Images. Hamilton Spanish GP pole, 2021 Spanish GP Qualifying, Hamilton 100th pole. Verstappen Austrian GP FP3, 2021 Austrian GP FP3.

Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team have announced a two-year contract extension with seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, continuing a relationship, which has become one of the most successful driver and team pairings in Formula One history.

Hamilton will drive for the Silver Arrows in the 2022 and 23 seasons, his tenth and eleventh with the Brackley-based outfit.

As the sport enters a new era in 2022 with a technical regulations change, Mercedes and Hamilton will continue to build on their collaboration together, which has lasted his entire career, first powered by Mercedes-Benz with McLaren-Mercedes then the works Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team, which he joined in the 2013 FIA World Championship season.

Since joining the Silver Arrows, the Briton has claimed six World Driver’s Championships, 77 Grand Prix victories and 74 pole positions so far.

The reigning world champion Hamilton said:

““It is hard to believe it’s been nearly nine years working with this incredible team and I’m excited we’re going to continue our partnership for two more years. We’ve accomplished so much together but we still have a lot to achieve, both on and off the track. I’m incredibly proud and grateful of how Mercedes has supported me in my drive to improve diversity and equality in our sport. They have held themselves accountable and made important strides in creating a more diverse team and inclusive environment. Thank you to all the dedicated and talented individuals at Mercedes whose hard work makes it all possible and the Board for their continued trust in me. We’re entering a new era of car which will be challenging and exciting and I can’t wait to see what else we can achieve together.” Credit to Mercedes for the quote.

@LewisHamilton heads @MercedesAMGF1 one-two in #AustrianGP FP2. #F1

#AustrianGP FP1: @Max33Verstappen leads @ScuderiaFerrari duo. #F1

#Formula1 BWT Grosser Preis Von Osterreich 2021 Preview. #F1 #AustrianGP