Ferrari warns of things to come in FP3

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F1 Grand Prix, GP China, Shanghai International Ciruitcn

Ferrari has sent out a clear warning signal to its drivers by stretching a lead in the final practice session ahead of qualifying for the Chinese Grand Prix. Sebastian Vettel ended up fastest and Raikkonen second, but both were easily ahead of their competition, lead by Valtteri Bottas.

Max Verstappen was 4th fastest, a tenth ahead of Lewis Hamilton.

Kevin Magnussen kept Haas in the top 10 in 6th position, ahead of a surprising Force India duo in 7th and 8th. The top 10 was completed by Sainz for Renault and Sirotkin for Williams. The latter's performance was a very welcome surprise for the troubled Williams team, the only team yet to score a point this season.

Daniel Ricciardo was meanwhile again struck by reliability issues as he stopped with flames coming out the back of his car after just 3 laps. The team later confirmed the turbo had failed, likely also terminally damaging the MGU-H.

Results

Pos.No.DriverCarTimeGapLaps
15Sebastian VettelFerrari1:33.018-14
27Kimi RäikkönenFerrari1:33.469+0.451s21
377Valtteri BottasMercedes1:33.761+0.743s16
433Max VerstappenRed Bull Racing Tag Heuer1:33.969+0.951s14
544Lewis HamiltonMercedes1:34.057+1.039s14
620Kevin MagnussenHaas Ferrari1:34.329+1.311s25
711Sergio PerezForce India Mercedes1:34.445+1.427s14
831Esteban OconForce India Mercedes1:34.456+1.438s16
955Carlos SainzRenault1:34.582+1.564s20
1035Sergey SirotkinWilliams Mercedes1:34.741+1.723s13
1127Nico HulkenbergRenault1:34.841+1.823s16
1214Fernando AlonsoMcLaren Renault1:34.851+1.833s13
132Stoffel VandoorneMcLaren Renault1:34.977+1.959s16
1428Brendon HartleyScuderia Toro Rosso Honda1:34.991+1.973s20
153Daniel RicciardoRed Bull Racing Tag Heuer1:35.061+2.043s4
1610Pierre GaslyScuderia Toro Rosso Honda1:35.079+2.061s16
1718Lance StrollWilliams Mercedes1:35.375+2.357s16
1816Charles LeclercSauber Ferrari1:35.497+2.479s14
199Marcus EricssonSauber Ferrari1:35.679+2.661s13
208Romain GrosjeanHaas Ferrari1:35.756+2.738s6