Max Verstappen set the fastest time in the third and final practice session for the United States Grand Prix. He improved on Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc’s time at the last minute with a superb lap.

Since the second free practice session was mainly dedicated to a Pirelli tire test, the third and final practice session was more important than usual. At the Circuit of the Americas, there was still some time to look for the right set-up of the cars with three hours before qualifying. Those riders who gave way to a ‘rookie’ in FP1 (including Leclerc) certainly benefited from a good FP3.

The race weekend in Austin has so far revolved almost exclusively around the affair of exceeding Red Bull’s budget limit in 2021. Team boss Christian Horner bit his face hard at a press conference today. F1 are awaiting more clarity on a possible penalty for Red Bull.

In search of balance

Meanwhile, Austin is still racing. Free practice three started with some fast laps from Verstappen and Leclerc taking turns under each other’s times on soft tyres.

During practice, it was confirmed that Leclerc will receive a hefty starting penalty. Ferrari has replaced its combustion engine and its turbo once again and is therefore starting ten places behind qualifying.

It was difficult at times in Austin for the riders who struggled with strong winds and seemed to have little balance. Verstappen’s car also wobbled occasionally and during one of his last flying laps he almost went off the track.

Short work

Leclerc drove the best time in the final minutes of practice, but Verstappen made short work of it at the last minute. On his last lap he was the best in every sector (section of the track) and improved Leclerc’s time by more than three tenths.

So Verstappen ends his preparatory work in Austin positively. From now on, the focus can be on qualifying and the race, where Verstappen wants to win the constructors’ championship with Red Bull.