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After free practice on Friday was canceled due to fog preventing the medical helicopter from taking off, the sun rose over the Nürburgring horizon and the third free practice went smoothly, with Valtteri Bottas first. He was 0s136 faster than runner-up Lewis Hamilton, who was able to match Michael Schumacher’s record of 91 wins on Sunday, with Charles Leclerc in third place with Ferrari.
Valtteri Bottas accelerates Mercedes at the Nurburgring – Photo: Disclosure
Max Verstappen led the session but finished fourth, with Sebastian Vettel, who raced with Ferrari in fifth place. The top ten were completed by Lando Norris (McLaren), Sergio Pérez (Racing Point), Daniel Ricciardo (Renault), Alexander Albon (RBR) and Pierre Gasly (AlphaTauri) in tenth position.
Lance Stroll did not participate in the third free practice because he was not feeling well after being ill at night. Nico Hulkenberg is ready for qualifying if necessary.
Qualifying will be played at 10 am (Brasilia time), with live broadcast from SporTV2. Ge tracks in real time.
Result of free training at the Nürburgring – Photo: Playback / FOM
The weather forecast was spot on, and the sun appeared at the Nürburgring, allowing the drivers to finally hit the track. Despite this, the cold was great, with an ambient temperature of about seven degrees. The conditions for qualifying must be maintained, but the forecast for Sunday is rainy, like Friday.
Cars hit the track for practice 3 at the Eifel GP
To avoid further risk of canceling activities, the FIA has drawn up a contingency plan for this weekend. A take-off point for the medical helicopter was chosen 3 km from the racecourse where the fog does not usually interfere with flights. After transportation by car to this heliport, the aircraft can depart for the F1-accredited hospital, 52 km from the circuit.
Lance Stroll did not feel well overnight and did not participate in the third free practice. If the Canadian is unable to participate in qualifying, Nico Hulkenberg is ready to replace him. This year, the German already raced for Racing Point instead of Sergio Pérez, who was out of two races for having contracted coronavirus.
Stroll does not participate in the third free practice of the Eifel GP
Vettel and Russell rounds
With the asphalt very cold, the drivers had difficulty controlling the cars. The first to run was Sebastian Vettel, out of the chicane. The German Ferrari managed to get back on track without problems.
Vettel races on the track in the third free practice of the Eifel GP
In a similar dynamic, George Russell rode out of the chicane, except that Williams’ car did not stay on the asphalt and went to the grass, which, wet, made it difficult for the Englishman. Fortunately, the car stopped by itself even on the grass and there was no crash.
Russell runs on track at Eifel GP practice
Verstappen led the first part of the session, despite complaining about the grainy of the tires due to the difficulty of warming up. With less than 20 minutes to go, with the riders using the soft tire sets, Bottas outscored Verstappen in 0s103.
Bottas is the leader of the Eifel GP practice with 1m26s968
Hamilton began with a discreet participation in training. In the first half of the session he was at the end of the pack and, when he put on the soft tires, he failed to beat Bottas. He even escaped on the brakes to the chicane.
Latifi runs on track in the third free practice at Eifel GP
In the end, Hamilton had been doing the best sectors, but a lap by Nicholas Latifi at the last corner of the circuit sent the yellow flag flying on the spot, preventing the six-time champion from improving his own time. On the last lap, Hamilton jumped to second position.
– Photo: Infoesporte
