There is no point in celebrating Oscar Piastri, author of the best time in the final free practice session, since it was interrupted five minutes from the end, following an exit from the track by Sergio Perez, which damaged the wing before his Red Bull. Even if the marshals very quickly evacuated the Mexican’s RB20, the combined exit of all the drivers for a final timed run was going to be done in disorder, and only Lando Norris was able to match the time of his Australian teammate (1’15’ ‘529) finishing 0”300 behind the reference time.
Behind we find the two Ferraris with a third time for Carlos Sainz at 0”538 just ahead of Charles Leclerc at 0”558. The Monegasque, deprived of a clear lap to conclude, after having dominated the first two practice sessions on Friday, was unable to complete the three-run pass.
Verstappen in difficulty
As for Max Verstappen, 6th, it was impossible for him to benefit from a final run, trapped by the checkered flag. The truth will come out at the end of the afternoon with qualifying which will begin at 4 p.m. The day before, the Dutchman had railed against his undriveable car which took him twice into the gravel. “It’s the worst riding session I’ve had this season. Nothing was wrong” he explained once he got off the RB20. Results of a 5th and a 7th place yesterday with times close to those achieved by Sergio Perez.
The session also saw Fernando Alonso crash his Aston Martin into the tarpaulins at Rivazza, seriously damaging his rear end, causing a first red flag.
In the midst of the chaos that reigned at the end of the session, it was difficult to interpret Esteban Ocon’s excellent eighth time, at 0”952, or to be alarmed by Pierre Gasly’s penultimate time at 1′ ‘832 by Oscar Piastri, who was unable, by getting in trouble with Charles Leclerc, to take advantage of his final flying lap.
