Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas led the way during third practice for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, as rivals encountered problems.
Bottas posted a time of 1:42.742, as the field conducted qualifying simulations on Supersoft tyres, to finish 0.095s clear of Ferrari’s Kimi Räikkönen.
Lewis Hamilton was third fastest, amid complaints of de-rates on his engine, while Friday pace setter Max Verstappen and title leader Sebastian Vettel were both compromised.
Verstappen, following concerns over an engine issue, stopped at Turn 16 when “everything just switched off,” while Vettel completed only a handful of laps due to a fluid leak.
Verstappen finished in sixth position, behind Red Bull team-mate Daniel Ricciardo and Force India’s Esteban Ocon, while Vettel was a lowly 12th due to his limited track time.
Felipe Massa collected seventh for Williams, while Daniil Kvyat, Lance Stroll and Sergio Pérez rounded out the top 10.
Nico Hülkenberg finished 11th, in front of compatriot Vettel, with Carlos Sainz Jr. 13th, ahead of McLaren’s Fernando Alonso, both of whom enter qualifying with grid penalties.
Kevin Magnussen took 15th, ahead of Stoffel Vandoorne, while Romain Grosjean’s complaints over brakes were in evidence once more en route to 17th position.
Sauber’s difficult weekend continued as Marcus Ericsson and Pascal Wehrlein classified 18th and 19th as the final drivers to post a representative time.
Jolyon Palmer’s woes continued when he stopped at Turn 2 during the early stages with flames trickling from the rear of his Renault R.S.17.
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