Results & Report Third Free Practice 2024 British F1 GP

Russell Leads All-British Top Three in Wet Silverstone FP3

The third and final practice session for the 2024 British Grand Prix at Silverstone delivered a thrilling spectacle in challenging wet conditions. George Russell, in his Mercedes, emerged as the fastest, leading a trio of British drivers at the top of the timesheets.

Wet and Wild at Silverstone

The session began under rainy skies, with all 20 drivers hitting the track on intermediate tyres. The wet conditions made the session particularly tricky, resulting in several drivers experiencing slips and spins. The Haas drivers were the first to venture out, soon followed by the Red Bulls and Williams, testing the limits of grip on a slick track.

Early Drama and Red Flags

Just eight minutes into the session, Pierre Gasly's spin and subsequent entrapment in the gravel at Vale brought out the red flags. The Alpine driver, already set to start from the back due to power unit changes, ended his session early. Max Verstappen also had a dramatic 180-spin at Brooklands, highlighting the low grip levels.

Mercedes Domination in Wet Conditions

As the session resumed, lap times started tumbling. Lewis Hamilton was the first to dip into the 1m 39s, eventually clocking a 1m 39.546s lap. However, it was his teammate George Russell who set the pace with a 1m 37.529s lap. Hamilton followed closely, just 0.035s behind, while McLaren's Lando Norris secured third place.

British Fans Thrilled

The Silverstone crowd had plenty to cheer for with three British drivers occupying the top three spots. The session ended with a bit of fun as Norris and Russell engaged in some friendly post-practice racing, much to the delight of the fans braving the damp conditions.

Sainz and Verstappen Keep Close

Carlos Sainz managed a P4 finish despite a drifting moment, while Verstappen, despite being fifth, remains a threat for pole position. The Red Bull driver, typically dominant, may have been conserving his best for qualifying.

The quickest sector times during this FP3 where:

1. 31.034 sec. by George Russell (Mercedes W15)
2. 39.296 sec. by Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes W15)
3. 26.821 sec. by Lando Norris (McLaren MCL38)

Looking Ahead to Qualifying

With conditions set to remain unpredictable, the stage is set for a thrilling qualifying session at 1500 local time. The wet FP3 has added an extra layer of uncertainty, making every minute on track crucial. The fans are in for an exciting showdown as drivers battle not just each other, but the elements.