Practice 3 Report - Leclerc on top of tight field

Max Verstappen
© Red Bull

By Peter Habicht

Charles Leclerc took a fastest lap of 1:16.714s in the closing seconds of this afternoon’s in final free practice for Ferrari from Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who improved in the session’s final minute to briefly hold the best time of 1:16.734s around the Albert Park Circuit.

Track temperatures were much cooler under changing cloudy skies, and several drivers found it difficult to get the most from their softer tires. Carlos Sainz set a fastest lap of 1:16.791s in the first third of the session, a time which stood until the closing seconds as Verstappen and then teammate Leclerc kept lowering their times.

Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton struggled on softs initially but also improved later in the session to take fourth fastest ahead of teammate George Russell. Aston’s Fernando Alonso was sixth in front of Verstappen teammate Sergio Perez and local favorite, McLaren’s Oscar Piastri. Lance Stroll was ninth quickest for Aston with Piastri teammate Lando Norris in 10th.

Team RB and Sauber drivers Yuki Tsunoda and Valtteri Bottas finished ahead of the lone Williams of Alex Albon, whose impact during yesterday’s opening practice session damaged his chassis beyond repair. With no spares in Australia to rebuild Albon’s car, the team made the difficult decision to withdraw American Logan Sargeant, who graciously stepped aside as the team tore his car down and reintegrated Albon’s powertrain, which Alex will drive the rest of the weekend.

Sauber’s Guanyu Zhou was next quickest, followed by Alpine’s Esteban Ocon and Haas’ Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen. Team RB’s Daniel Ricciardo and Ocon teammate Pierre Gasly were last in the running order.

In a statement released ahead of today’s session, Williams made their situation clear this weekend: "Following Alex Albon's accident during FP1 at the Australian Grand Prix, Williams Racing confirms that due to the extensive damage sustained, it is forced to withdraw the chassis for the remainder of the Grand Prix. This chassis will be returned to the team's HQ at Grove for repair.”

The team also shared Sargeant’s thoughts as he sits on the sidelines: “This is the hardest moment I can remember in my career and it’s absolutely not easy . . . I am, however, completely here for the team and will continue to contribute in any way that I can this weekend to maximize what we can do.”

Qualifying begins at 4pm this afternoon.