FP3: Raikkonen ends final practice on top

  • Published on 07 Apr 2018 15:01
  • comments 3
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Kimi Raikkonen has ended the final practice session from Bahrain on top, getting the better of both Mercedes' and Red Bulls. The Finn's best lap time was a 1:29.868. 

There's concern on the other side of the Ferrari garage as Sebastian Vettel returned to the pit-lane, reporting an issue over the radio. The German's session ended early as his team went to work on the car, investigating a suspected power unit issue.

Max Verstappen was second, but he was over half a second down on Raikkonen. Verstappen headed his teammate Daniel Ricciardo and Briton Lewis Hamilton. The reigning world champion struggled on his fast laps, with his car oversteering and running wide.  

Vettel was fifth, ahead of the second Mercedes of Valtteri Bottas. Following the Silver Arrow was the two Renault's of Nico Hulkenberg and Carlos Sainz, who will be looking to get the jump on McLaren and Haas as the weekend progresses.

Pierre Gasly and Brendon Hartley showed encouraging pace in the Toro Rosso-Honda, positioning themselves in P9 and P11. Sandwiched in between them in tenth place was Spaniard Fernando Alonso

Romain Grosjean was P12 for Haas, leading the Force India duo of Esteban Ocon and Sergio Perez. The remaining Haas of Kevin Magnussen followed the Pink Panthers on the timesheets.

Williams appears to be in big trouble around the Bahrain International Circuit, as it ended the practice session bottom of the timesheets, behind both Saubers. Qualifying for the race gets underway at 4 PM UK time.

 

Fergal Walsh

BH Bahrain International Circuit - 07 April 2018

Replies (3)

Login to reply
  • STR looking good again. Meanwhile even Sauber is ahead of Williams... Bloody hell.

    • + 0
    • Apr 7 2018 - 15:33
    • Kean

      Posts: 692

      I did not see Sauber being ahead of Williams this soon, maybe it's track specific. But it's great to see how close it is from 7 to 18. STR I think will fall behind on race pace, but they certainly seem to have one lap speed.

      • + 0
      • Apr 7 2018 - 16:51
    • I think its a one time thing, but if this is real, this is abysmal stuff from Williams. Come on, a Mercedes powered team down fighting for scraps!

      • + 0
      • Apr 8 2018 - 08:35

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Red Bull Racing
  • Points 2,638
  • Podiums 100
  • Grand Prix 188
  • Country NL
  • Date of b. Sep 30 1997 (26)
  • Place of b. Hasselt (Belgie), NL
  • Weight 70 kg
  • Length 1.8 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar