Third Free Practice Results 2024 Bahrain F1 GP

F1 Race Event: Bahrain Grand Prix
Race Track: Bahrain International Circuit

Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-24 at Bahrain International Circuit

Weather: dry  20.3°C
Tarmac: dry  34.1°C
Humidity : 38.0%
Wind : 14.7 km/h South
Pressure: 1016 mbar

Sainz Shines in Final Practice Ahead of the 2024 Bahrain Grand Prix

As the Formula 1 season kickstarts under the dazzling lights of the Bahrain International Circuit, the teams and drivers geared up for what promises to be an exhilarating opening round. The third and final practice session (FP3) witnessed Carlos Sainz of Ferrari clinching the fastest lap, outpacing his competitors and setting the stage for an intense qualifying session.

The Spanish driver clocked a remarkable time of 1m 30.824s, edging out Fernando Alonso in the Aston Martin by a slender margin of 0.141 seconds. Close on their heels was Red Bull's Max Verstappen, who finished the session 0.238 seconds behind Sainz, indicating a fiercely competitive field this season.

Halfway through the session, the top 10 order was as follows: 1. Alonso, 1:31.582 min (S), 2. Russell, +0.239s (S), 3. Leclerc, +0.443s (S), 4. Tsunoda, +0.579s (S), 5. Sainz, +0.620s (S), 6. Stroll, +.0.700s (S), 7. Magnussen, +0.858s (S), 8. Albon, +0.913s, (S), 9. Norris, +1.029s (S) 10. Hamilton, +1.151s (S).

The session unfolded under breezy conditions, adding an extra layer of challenge for the drivers navigating the demanding Bahrain circuit. Despite the tricky conditions, the drivers showcased their skills, with the top 14 separated by a mere eight and a half tenths of a second, emphasizing the tight competition expected this year.

Ferrari's strong performance in FP3, with Sainz leading and Charles Leclerc securing a commendable fourth place, suggests that the Italian team might be a formidable contender for the pole position. However, they face stiff competition from a resurgent Mercedes team, which shone in the previous practice sessions, and an ever-imposing Red Bull lineup.

The stage is now set for a thrilling qualifying session, where strategy and precision will be paramount. With the sun setting and the floodlights illuminating the track, the quest for the coveted P1 grid slot will be intense. Fans and pundits alike are eager to see whether Verstappen can convert his fan-favored status into a pole position or if an underdog like Sainz can upset the established order.

As the teams make their final adjustments and the drivers steel their nerves, the anticipation builds for what promises to be a spectacular start to the 2024 Formula 1 season. The quest for glory begins here, at the Bahrain Grand Prix, where every second counts and the margins for error are infinitesimal.

The quickest lap time of last years third practice was a 1:32,340 min driven by Fernando Alonso on a set of soft tyres underneath the Aston Martin AMR23.

FP3 Times Table 2024 Bahrain GP

✅ Don't forget to check out the 2024 Bahrain F1 Grand Prix preview

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