Max fifth in final Montreal free practice

Published on 08 June 2019 by Stefan Meens

Max Verstappen finished the final free practice session of the Canadian Grand Prix in fifth place. Ferrari set the pace with Sebastian Vettel leading his team mate Charles Leclerc. The Mercedes of Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton occupied places three and four.

Raymond Vermeulen, Max’ manager, said afterwards: “Max was quite happy but we’re lacking in the third sector. I think we’ll have something extra in qualifying but fifth is probably where we’re at. We’ll see. We always knew Ferrari would be strong here with their powerful engine.”

At the start of the session, Max stays in the pits. In fact, the Aston Martin Red Bull Racing ace is the last driver to head out on track. When he eventually does go, it is on the medium Pirelli tyres. Max’ fastest effort on that compound grants him P5 at the session’s halfway mark.

Meanwhile, local hero Lance Stroll provides fireworks for his fans. Unfortunately for the Canadian, they result in a premature end to his FP3; Stroll’s Racing Point suffers an hydraulic leak, resulting in fire and smoke.

With fifteen minutes to go, it is time for qualifying simulations. Most driver bolt on the soft Pirellis and run low fuel levels in an attempt to set their fastest lap of the weekend thus far. In the end, it is Sebastian Vettel who outpaces his younger team mate Charles Leclerc, followed by Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas. Red Bull Racing finish in fifth and sixth with Max once again quicker than team mate Pierre Gasly.

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Results third free practice Canada: