Silverstone, 06 July 2024: Heavy rain transformed FP3 at the British Grand Prix into a slippery affair, with George Russell emerging fastest for Mercedes ahead of teammate Lewis Hamilton. Local hero Lando Norris delighted the crowd with a P3 finish in his McLaren.
A Wet Start and Early Drama
The session began under a deluge, forcing all drivers onto intermediate tires. Haas duo Kevin Magnussen and the Williams cars were the first to venture out, with the rest of the field soon following. However, the treacherous conditions claimed a victim early on as Pierre Gasly’s Alpine spun and got stuck in the gravel at Vale, bringing out the red flags with just eight minutes gone. Gasly will already start from the back due to power unit changes, so this incident won’t affect his grid position.
Track Dries, Times Tumble
As the rain subsided and the track began to dry, lap times started to improve significantly. Russell was the first to dip into the 1m 39s bracket, followed by Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri. Hamilton then took the lead with a 1m 38.511s lap, showcasing Mercedes’ strong pace in the wet.
No dampening these fans' spirits, despite the weather
Mercedes Dominates, Verstappen Struggles
Mercedes emerged as the clear favorites in the wet conditions, with Russell and Hamilton occupying the top two spots by the halfway mark. Norris, cheered on by the home crowd, secured P3 for McLaren, suggesting they could be in the mix for a podium finish.
Max Verstappen, who topped the times in FP1, struggled in the wet, finishing P5 for Red Bull. However, this might not be indicative of their true pace, as Verstappen could have been focusing on setup rather than chasing lap times.
Special liveries on display from Red Bull and Williams this weekend
Uncertainty Looms for Qualifying
With more rain expected later today and potentially during qualifying, the session provided valuable data for the teams. However, the big question remains: will qualifying be a wet or dry affair? This uncertainty adds another layer of intrigue to the already exciting British Grand Prix weekend.
Key Takeaways from FP3
- Mercedes displayed strong pace in the wet, with Russell and Hamilton leading the pack.
- Lando Norris’ P3 finish will please the home crowd and suggests McLaren could be in the mix for a podium finish.
- Max Verstappen’s P5 position might not be indicative of Red Bull’s true pace, as he could have been focusing on setup.
- The weather conditions remain unpredictable, making qualifying a wide-open contest.
Looking Ahead to Qualifying
With the track potentially drying out for qualifying, the pecking order could be reshuffled. The battle for pole position is shaping up to be thrilling, with Mercedes, McLaren, and Red Bull all potentially in contention. Qualifying promises to be an edge-of-the-seat affair, with the drivers needing to adapt to the changing conditions and make the most of every lap.
Summary
FP3 at the British Grand Prix was a wet and wild session, with George Russell taking the top spot for Mercedes.
Rain dominated the session, forcing drivers onto intermediate tires. Pierre Gasly brought out the red flags early after a spin left him stuck in the gravel.
As the track gradually dried, lap times tumbled. Mercedes emerged on top with Russell and Hamilton leading the pack. Lando Norris, cheered on by the home crowd, secured P3 for McLaren.
Max Verstappen, who dominated FP1, struggled in the wet conditions, finishing P5 for Red Bull. However, this may not be indicative of their true pace, as Verstappen could have been focusing on car setup.
With more rain potentially on the way, the big question remains: will qualifying be a wet or dry affair? This uncertainty adds to the excitement for what promises to be a thrilling qualifying session.
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