Formula 1 in Bahrain

The 3rd free practice in Bahrain from 13.30 LIVE

Carlos Sainz was the fastest in the third practice session.(Bild: ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz set the fastest time in the third practice session. He was even faster than Fernando Alonso (+0.141) in the Aston Martin. World champion Max Verstappen was much more aggressive and set the third-fastest time (+0.238).

Carlos Sainz set the fastest practice time in the Ferrari ahead of the opening qualifying session of the Formula 1 season. The 29-year-old Spaniard, who has to vacate his cockpit at the Scuderia for Lewis Hamilton after this season, relegated his compatriot Fernando Alonso in the Aston Martin to second place in the third free practice session on Friday. Defending champion and triple world champion Max Verstappen from the Netherlands came third in the Red Bull.

Charles Leclerc finished fourth in the second Ferrari. Mercedes driver Hamilton, who was fastest on Thursday, was only twelfth in the one-hour session in the afternoon.

Qualifying begins on Friday at 17:00 CET. The race will already start on Saturday in consideration of the upcoming Islamic fasting month of Ramadan.