Charles Leclerc led Ferrari team-mate Sebastian Vettel during the final practice session for Formula 1’s Russian Grand Prix on Saturday lunchtime.
Leclerc clocked a time of 1:32.733 to finish 0.316s ahead of Singapore victor Vettel, as Ferrari chases a fourth successive pole position and victory.
Lewis Hamilton emerged as Ferrari’s nearest opponent at the Sochi Autodrom, lapping 0.396s down on Leclerc, while Valtteri Bottas was two-tenths further back in fourth place.
Friday pacesetter Max Verstappen had a scruffier session as his best time came on Mediums, leaving him eight-tenths behind Bottas.
Verstappen ran wide over the Turn 3 inside kerb – launching his RB15 skywards – and later in the lap spun through Turn 13, lightly brushing the exit wall as he came to a halt.
Romain Grosjean was a surprise sixth for Haas, leading the midfield contingent, as he continues to run a hybrid version of the VF-19, with several Melbourne-spec components still on the car.
Red Bull’s Alexander Albon was seventh, while Nico Hulkenberg was once more the faster of the Renault drivers, classifying eighth, with Lando Norris ninth for McLaren.
Kevin Magnussen rounded out the top 10 for Haas, in front of Pierre Gasly, Daniel Ricciardo and Carlos Sainz Jr.
Alfa Romeo’s subdued weekend continued, with Antonio Giovinazzi and Kimi Raikkonen only 14th and 17th respectively, either side of Racing Point duo Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll.
Raikkonen was a substantial eight-tenths down on Stroll, and held a gap of just three-tenths back to lead Williams driver George Russell.
Daniil Kvyat was only 19th, as he stopped on track for the second time in three sessions early on, with Robert Kubica occupying his usual spot at the rear of the field, almost a second down on Russell.
Qualifying for Formula 1’s Russian Grand Prix will begin at 15:00 local time
Discussion about this post